School Board Considers Alternate High School Scheduling

Oskaloosa Community School Board

Oskaloosa, Iowa – At their regular meeting this past week, the Oskaloosa School Board heard a report from several high school teachers related to semester/trimester scheduling. The Oskaloosa High School currently operates on a trimester schedule, and is one of few schools in the area to do so. Talks among administration have been ongoing for some time to discuss the possibility of switching from the present schedule. Superintendent Russ Reiter said that no plans are in the works for a change for the next school year.

“It’s almost going to be impossible to move to anything different for probably next year,” Reiter said.

Reiter noted that there would have to be much work in preparing a change, in particular with the one-to-one laptop program.

“I don’t think we’re in any position to make a decision on the semester-trimester, eight period day,” Reiter added.

High School Science teacher Mike Goudy stated that teachers at the high school were surveyed the first week of December to seek their input on possible schedule changes. Among the possible changes that were surveyed were a semester schedule, modified block schedule, all block schedule, and a trimester program. The survey data was provided to board members, however was not addressed in depth.

School Board member Carl Drost expressed some concerns with an eight period day, where classes are 46 minutes, as is currently done. Drost’s concerns were with the amount of time each class period was, in particular Construction Trades classes, expressing concern that students who chose not to go to post-secondary education may not get as much classroom time as needed before they embark on a career.

“The 46 minutes in the CTE classes really bothers me,” Drost said.

Ultimately, no decision was made on the presentation, as it was meant merely for information purposes for board members.

In other action, the school board also approved a request for an out of state school trip. High School Student Council advisor Kim Gile said that eight student council members have expressed an interest in going to the national student council conference in Manchester, New Hampshire. Last year, the student council took six students to the national conference in Oregon. Gile requested approval so that students who wish to go on the trip in late June 2017 can begin to raise funds to offset costs. The board unanimously approved the request.

In other action, the board:

• Received a presentation on Progress of High School MTSS.
• Received a presentation on High School Gymnasium Renovation Alternatives.

The next meeting of the Oskaloosa School Board will be on January 9 at 7 PM in the George Daily Auditorium Boardroom.