High School Schedule Work Group 2026

Purpose(s)/Goal: 

The High School Schedule Work Group is an outgrowth of the work of the 2025 High School Schedule Adhoc Committee which recommended:

• Changing to a seven-period schedule for fall 2026 for the three comprehensive high schools.
• Convening additional work group(s) to solicit feedback on the various seven-period schedule options.
• Make recommendations about bell schedule, planning time, class size and role of advisory class.
• Support the development of Options High School’s alternative schedule.
   

Basis for Establishment:

During discussions of potential budget reductions during district-BEA bargaining in the spring of the 2024-25 school year, a direction to review the high school schedule arose. BEA and district representatives agreed to examine and compare the schedule with alternatives, with an eye toward ways to reduce costs. We formed the  High School Schedule Ad hoc Committee, which met seven times over the course of the fall months of 2025 and into early January 2026

The committee reached consensus to recommend changing from an eight-period schedule to a seven-period schedule as one step toward solving the impending district budget shortfall for the 2026-27 school year.  Unlike other cost saving decisions that can happen later in the school year, the high school schedule must be decided in time to meet the constraints of master scheduling and student registration. Given this, the committee further recommended that a work group be convened to define the specifics associated with the schedule change.

Decision-Making Process: 

• Recommendations will be presented to the superintendent.
   

Plan of Work

• Six 90-minute meetings

  • 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 27, District Office, Room 103

  • 3:30-5 p.m., Jan. 29, District Office, Rooms 202/203

  • 3:30-5 p.m., Feb. 3, District Office, Room 102

  •  3:30-5 p.m., Feb. 4, District Office, Room 102

  • 3:30-5 p.m., Feb. 10, District Office, Rooms 202/203

  • 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 12, Bellingham High School Library
     

Responsibilities:

• Attend all meetings

• Represent perspectives from constituent groups

• Engage in decision-making regarding recommendation

Budget Implications:

• None