One hundred Wenatchee High School staff members voted on the proposed modified block schedule, approving the proposal by a vote of 63-37 on Nov. 20. The final decision will move on to the school district superintendent and the Wenatchee School Board, and if approved, the modified block schedule would go into effect during the 2014-15 school year.

The modified block schedule would mean four 85-minute class periods Tuesday through Thursday, and six periods a day on Monday and Friday.

Longer periods Tuesday through Thursday would theoretically mean more time for teachers to complete labs and projects. For some staff members, the change would mean one day less of meeting with students, and potentially having to reform class curriculum.

The [math Department’s] worry is they won’t get through material with the fewer days,” math teacher Tom Alexander said. “Personally, I think a little bit of math each day is good. [The schedule] may be a benefit… it may be a lot of work. I’m going into it with a positive attitude.”

Alexander said that the math department would have to make adjustments to curriculum despite the the modified block schedule due to the next year’s implementation of Common Core Standards, a system that has been adopted by 45 states. The new  standards would integrate subjects from Algebra 2 into Algebra 1, and standards from Pre-Calculus into Algebra 2.

“What I would like to see happen is that we adopt new curriculum immediately, so then we can change two things in one year,” Alexander said.

Many students see the longer periods as a negative.

“Kids already get bored in class with the current schedule,” freshman Gavin Ashbrooks said. “But I think we’ll get used to it over time.”

Principal Bob Celebreeze, concerned about the negative comments, issued the following statement to staff: “As you know, I am making the recommendation to Superintendent Flones that he approves the revised schedule beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. As we know, students fear the unknown and tend to follow all our lead on these issues. Please do all you can to put our 9th, 10th and 11th graders minds at ease regarding the changes. Please put accurate information in front of them to alleviate stress and mis-information.”

He listed the following “talking points” or benefits of a modified block schedule… increased lunch time; increased passing periods; nutrition break for all students; all classes meet Monday and Friday; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday four classes meet for 85 minutes each; late arrival Monday stays in place; AVID, Running Start, I-Frosh, Advanced Placement remains in place; zero hour remains; open campus for juniors and seniors in good standing remains.

WHS physics teacher Todd Busse believes that the proposed block schedule would be a positive change for the science department collectively. “Right now, we are really rushed. With [the block schedule], we would have time to do a full lab, instead of breaking it into two or three days,” Busse said. “I think it’s good to find new ways of teaching material.”

For an audio version of this report, go to: http://www.kohoradio.com/?q=news/big-changes-could-hit-daily-schedule-whs