Facing financial difficulties, the Webster County Public School System in rural Kentucky implemented a four-day school week to save money on transportation and staffing. The district's research in the experience of other rural districts had indicated that such a calendar change could increase efficiency and also yield some unexpected benefits. Webster County's experience in the last two years under the new calendar has confirmed the viability of the four-day week. Student achievement has risen, and teachers feel that they are using planning and staff development time more profitably. Anticipated problems--such as student fatigue from the longer school day and parent problems with child-care issues--have not proven to be serious obstacles. (Contains 1 figure.)