Caledonia Argus

School board considering change in scheduling

Posted: 12/23/03

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Caledonia High School students may soon be going to a modified schedule.

The school board is considering changing from the current four-period day, also known as block scheduling, which is currently in place to an eight-period day or a modified version of an eight period day.

Board members discussed the pros and cons of such a change at their December 18 meeting.

Superintendent Jim Tool said there is no significant difference between the two approaches.

High School principal Cory Klabunde had worked at a school that went from block scheduling to a seven period day. He said the students complained that they had more homework in the latter.

That fact didnít bother Tool. ìI donít think weíve been demanding enough in our current schedule,î he said.

Adding the principal position that Klabunde is filling puts the school district in position to set up higher expectations for teachers and students, Tool added.

Brian Doty, the current middle school principal, was at CHS when the school went from an eight period day to block scheduling.

He recalled that the school had first switched from a seven period day to an eight period day because students felt they were not receiving enough preparation for college. After the switch to eight periods, teachers felt they couldnít go into enough depth with their subjects. Block scheduling was intended to address that, and it also corresponded with the Profile of Learning, which has since been eliminated.

Doty said a seven period day would fit better with No Child Left Behind legislation, although he stressed that he did not agree with that legislation.

Board member David Klinski said that a seven period day puts more work on the parents at home, and students could lose out on help that teachers give them now in the longer classes of block scheduling.

Board member Chuck Schulte said he was opposed to block scheduling, because students donít get through as much material. and ACT test scores of Caledonia students are below state average. ìIf weíre not challenging them, then thereís something wrong,î he said.

Board member Mary Frank said she had talked to school officials at Central High School in La Crosse. They have a modified schedule in which students have eight period days three days a week, and block scheduling two days a week.

Several board members expressed interest in getting more information on that. Tool said he would first check with the teachers union to see if they would waive their preparation period, which would be required in that configuration. If they agree to that, he will have more information for the board on the modified proposal at the January 12 meeting.

Graduation requirements

The board unanimously approved increasing the credits required for graduation from what the state requires. At the recommendation of the curriculum committee, the board voted to add a half credit more for social studies half a credit for careers/health, and a full credit for physical education.

Dave Klinski asked why physical education should be a requirement. Several board members defended it. ìI hated it so bad, I remember everything they taught me,î Schulte said.

Other business

Also at the meeting, elementary principal Connie Hesse said that Sharon Tweten will be full-time at St. Johnís and St. Maryís Elementary School working with the Title I program, which does remedial work in reading and math. Itís the first time that parochial schools in Caledonia have requested the service.

Hesse said that the elementary school retained the tutoring slots that it has had all year, but it scaled back on math support from three days a week to five at her school.

She also discussed the curriculum review cycle for the district. A curriculum committee is reviewing science and health this year. The district has $95,000 to spend on this subject area for K-12 this year. The money is coming from the operating levy that was passed last December.

An equal amount will be spent in each of the five years on communications, math, social studies, fine arts, and vocational.

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