Schedule Change, Special Election Top City Schools Issues

Special Election, Qualifying Begins

Qualifying for the Ward 1 seat left vacant by the begins Monday and continues through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day in the city clerk's office at .

The special election is set for March 6, the same day as the Presidential Preference Primary. The voter registration deadline is Feb. 6, according to the Secretary of State, which also lists qualified Republican and Democratic candidates.

Task Force Recommends 7-period Schedule

An appointed scheduling task force comprised of faculty has recommended a seven-period schedule to begin in the fall of 2012.

The board's directive for the recommendation comes after a two- to three-year history of discussion on moving from a four-by-four block schedule, Superintendent Howard Hinesley said at the work session. Some .

He said a combination of —"new expectations," which will require more classes for the full school year, and dwindling funding.

In two years, the system will no longer have "significant" savings on which to rely, Hinesley said, adding the system hopes to avoid layoffs and pay cuts through normal attrition.

Now the board is set to decide on the number of credits required to graduate. While the high school will offer 28, the state requires 23. Hinesley said administrators will present recommendations to the board, which will vote on the issue in February. It is not required to approve the schedule change.

Administrators also may change course sequencing at the high school.

Faculty 'Firmly' Recommends 7 Periods

The task force in a memo "firmly" recommended a seven-period day over six periods. It cited several reason, which are:

• More opportunities for students' individual pathways,
• Fine Arts and Career Tech remain an integral part of the school's curriculum,
• More elective opportunities for students in the form of advanced-placement courses,
• Budgetary flexibility "to maximize instruction for at least one year,"
• No penalties for rising seniors as a result of the new schedule and graduation requirements.

The board meets for a business session Monday at 6 p.m.