High School Schedule Ad Hoc Committee 2025

Purpose(s)/Goal: 

• Review the utility of the current high school schedule 
• Consider alternatives that may produce cost savings.   
   

Basis for Establishment:

• The current high school schedule includes an eight-period student schedule in which full time teachers teach six of eight periods.  
• This schedule was formulated, recommended for adoption to the superintendent, and implemented during the 2017-18 school year.  
• A desire to review the 8-period 4x4 high school schedule arose in the process of bargaining the teacher contract over the course of the 2024-25 school year, and a direction was agreed to at the bargaining table that the schedule would be examined and compared with alternatives, with an eye toward possible ways to reduce costs. 
• In addition, feedback on the 8-period 4x4 schedule continues to be mixed.  It receives praise because of expanded elective opportunities for students, particularly in the areas of fine and performing arts, career and technical programming, and because it allows students some leeway to accumulate the 30 credits currently needed to graduate, within the framework of 32 course opportunities over the course of the students’ four-year high school experience. 
• The 8-period 4x4 schedule is criticized by some as creating an overload for students who may carry too many intensive courses at one time, which adds to student stress and/or anxiety.   
• Considerations emerged in the bargaining process about the expense of the 8-period 4x4 schedule that includes two teacher preparation periods out of eight.  Equity of teacher planning time across elementary, middle and high school is a factor to consider in this process.  
• This group will consider alternatives that 1) address the issues noted above and 2) given the current financial context, save the district money. If the group does not find a satisfactory alternative, the district's default position is to continue with the current schedule. 
   

Decision-Making Process: 

• The ad hoc committee will use processes of consensus and input/feedback from administrative, instructional and other stakeholders. 
• The committee will engage in clear communication among its members. 
• The group will be a recommending body to the superintendent. 
   

Plan of Work

• The ad hoc committee will meet for six 90-min meetings, September 23,  Sept 30, Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 4, and Nov 25, 2025.  Meetings will be held from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.  Rooms TBD 
• The committee will produce a recommendation to the superintendent supported by a written rationale to either stay with the current 8 period 4x4 schedule (default) or to move to a new schedule that addresses the financial and educational challenges noted earlier. 

Responsibilities:

• Attend all meetings, review materials provided, research scheduling options, and engage in reflective conversations. 
• Gather and share feedback from stakeholder groups 
• Interact collaboratively and respectfully with all committee members.
   

Budget Implications:

• No cost to the system; potential to save budget if a less expensive high school schedule is recommended.