DULUTH SCHOOLS
Students will have fewer graduation requirements to meet as the result
of a cost-saving measure adopted Tuesday night by the Duluth School
Board.
A six-period high school day will go into effect this September,
reducing staff costs by $400,000. It will replace the existing
seven-period curriculum by eliminating a half year of physical
education and revising the social studies requirement by substituting
other courses for civics.
Unresolved are factors including the time length of classes and the
opportunity for students to take more than six classes per day. Some
board members attempted to force a decision on those issues, but after
two hours of debate, they received only a verbal administration
commitment to address their concerns.
Despite the change to a six-period day, board member Pati Rolf said
the administration previously had promised to offer additional classes
during a so-called "zero hour'' before school.
"The zero hour was never not going to be there. In my mind, I
felt kids would be allowed to take seven classes at all three high
schools,'' she said.
About one third of all students at Central and Denfeld high schools
take a full seven hours of class. At East, the figure is slightly
higher, at 40 percent.
"I want a zero hour for grades nine through 12, but I want to
make sure we don't overload the rest of the day,'' board member Laura
Condon said.
That's impossible, director of school operations Bruce Watkins told
the board. If teachers provide instruction during a zero hour, it will
increase the size of classes they teach later in the day, he said.
Frustrated by calls for the additional instruction, Superintendent
Julio Almanza accused the board of retrenching on its prior
commitment.
"If you want a seven-period day, go back and say so, because
that really is where you're taking us,'' he said.
Rolf, however, said it's the administration that has changed its
commitment.
"You promised me a zero hour. Parents want a zero hour with a
few offerings. I'm not asking for a lot of choices,'' she said.
When Rolf put that request in the form of a motion, it was rejected
by board members by a 5-3 vote.
Almanza said the administration will continue to investigate
options to provide some courses outside of the six-period day. The
outcome, however, may depend on reaching an agreement with the Duluth
Federation of Teachers. The district has the authority to lengthen
class time without the union's permission, he said, but it's uncertain
whether or not teachers can be required to teach during a zero hour.
In other action, board members:
Scheduled
a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. April 6 to discuss the proposed closing
of Birchwood Core Knowledge Elementary School. Before the hearing is
held at the school, Almanza said, the district will announce where
Birchwood students will be transferred.
Instructed
the administration to use discretion in making capital improvements to
other school buildings that are being considered for closure.
RON BROCHU writes about education issues. He
can be reached weekdays at (218) 723-5340, (800) 456-8282 or by e-mail
at rbrochu@duluthnews.com.
