Dist. 300 re-examines schedule changes

The last time Community Unit District 300 administrators discussed schedule changes for secondary schools, the conversation came amid talks of mass teacher layoffs, fiscal uncertainties and tense contract negations with the teachers union. Improving education seemed like a secondary aspect.

This time around, district leaders say the conversation will focus squarely on better educating students.

At Monday’s board of education meeting, Ben Churchill, assistant superintendent for high school teaching and learning, and Kara Vicente, assistant superintendent for middle school teaching and learning, presented the first of a four-part series on restructuring secondary school schedules for the 2012-13 school year.

“We want to shift the context of the conversation to what is best for the kids,” Churchill said. “Last time, it was among other conversations we were having. We want to talk about this on its own merit, followed by the other pieces, like the financial piece and what it will take to get there.”

Churchill and Vicente gave board members an overview of the rationale for updating the schedule. Chief among the reasons were changes to how students will take assessments in the future.

At the high school level, Churchill said, students will take assessments throughout the year, rather than once a year. Moving away from the district’s current four-block schedule will better prepare students for testing, Churchill said.

In addition, Vicente said adjusting middle school schedules would allow students more time to grasp concepts and build relationships with their teachers.

Administrators are aiming for approval of a new high school schedule by early October; a decision on the middle school schedule is targeted for January 2012.

“It might feel odd, but as you can see we need to make a decision in the next couple of months in order to implement the new schedule in the next 12 months,” Churchill told board members.

Board members seemed responsive.

“It is so good to be talking about education again,” board member Susie Kopacz said.

In March, administrators discussed adjusting middle and high school schedules to save the district between $2.4 and $4.5 million, if $4 million in concessions from the teachers union were not met. Angry parents, teachers and students spoke out against the changes at two emotionally charged board meetings in March.

The teachers union and school board in May agreed to a one-year contract, which allowed the district more time to implement widespread schedule changes and saved more than 350 teaching positions.

Administrators will present details of the proposed high school schedule at the August 22 board meeting.