Staff writer
Marion High School and Middle School’s schedule will switch to seven-hour day for the 2010-11 school year. The USD 408 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the schedule change.
Marion schools are currently using a hybrid block and hourly schedule; students attend two 90-minute classes in the morning and four 50-minute classes in the afternoon. MHS principal Brenda Odgers proposed the new schedule of seven 50-minute classes per day because she said it gives teachers more flexibility and will keep the students attention span much easier.
“The advantage to block is that you have more time in class,” Odgers said. “The disadvantage is that kids reach their saturation point.”
Of the 33 Marion teachers who Odgers polled, 13 wanted the seven-hour day, three would do either, and seven prefered the current block schedule. Odgers said that the teachers who prefer the current schedule are vocational teachers — welding, wood working, etc. — and English teachers.
Parents should expect griping from their students. Odgers said that students like the current schedule because block classes gives them more time to work on homework in class.
But, the advantages of the seven-hour day were too good for Odgers to ignore. Teachers will see students every day, which Odgers believes will give teachers more time to work with struggling students. Students who miss school will be missing less class and should catch up more easily.
With the change in schedule, Odgers will have to work on graduation requirements. Currently there are 32 possible credits for students over four years; they need 27 credits to graduate. With a seven-hour day, students can have up to 28 possible credits; 24-25 credits will be needed to graduate.
Right now, MHS requires students to take four years of English; three years of math, science, and social studies; one year of technology and fine arts; three semesters of physical education; and a semester of speech. Students must also take 10 elective classes.
- In other business: the board of education decided to permit work release requests for Julia Zeiner, Emmali Kelsey, and Bridget Lundy.
- The board of education also approved a change in the mileage reimbursement rate change to 50 cents per mile and decided to keep the cost of driver’s education fees at $100 for district students, but charge out-of-district students whatever they would pay in their home district.
- The board accepted the resignation from Kathy Ehrlich as assistant MMS volleyball coach.