Willow Lake has joined the list of South Dakota school districts with four-day weeks.

Willow Lake plans to start the Monday-through-Thursday class schedule with the new academic year.

Superintendent Kevin Quimby says the change got good support from parents at public meetings. He says the four-day system will be tried for two years and then will be re-evaluated.

Dean Christensen, Deuel School District superintendent, says the main reason for the change is to allow time for staff development and for working with students who need extra help.

His says his district, which has had four-day weeks for two years, has saved $65,000 a year.