Middle School Schedule Ad Hoc Work Group 2026

The Middle School Schedule Ad Hoc Work Group will convene for the following purposes:

Review the utility of the current middle school schedule and consider alternatives that may increase opportunities for students, while meeting the current and projected budget and staffing forecasts.
Recommend a middle school schedule for implementation for the 2027-28 school year.

The current middle school schedule includes a limited student elective schedule. There have been multiple prior attempts to alter the schedule, but these efforts have not ended in determining and funding a successful alternative to the current schedule.
This group will consider alternatives that 1) address the issues noted above and 2) given the current financial context, hold harmless current budget projections and/or 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
In addition, the advent of the new high school schedule for Bellingham school district, which includes three days a week of straight seven periods, and two block days of 3 and 4 periods respectively, puts the high schools and middle schools on very different schedules which work against the possibility of more shared staffing arrangements. With the middle schools still functioning on an alternating A/B day schedule, there is not a match with the new HS plan.
Declining enrollment will likely result in middle schools with six core teachers or fewer per grade level. We need a schedule model that fits these parameters.
A desire to review the current middle school schedule arose in the process of considering staffing reductions for the 2026-27 school year.

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.

The ad hoc committee will meet for six 90-min meetings, beginning in the spring of 2026, and continuing into the fall. Dates follow: May 14, 2026, and May 21, 2026, with additional meetings TBD in September, October and (if needed) November 2026. Meetings will be held from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Rooms TBD

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.

Meeting Notes & Docs