Parents voiced their concerns about the 4×4 and hybrid block schedules to the school board at the bi-weekly meeting last night at the district office.

A group of roughly 50 parents, students and teachers came to the meeting to support their representatives who are opposed to the schedules’ proposed format. Speakers against the 4×4 and hybrid block schedule included parents Amy Lewis, Galen Sorom, and Jason Tveten. This group pointed out that the planned bell schedule has some gaping flaws such as the lack of year-long classes.

Research performed by this group found that these groups found that students running on the 4×4 schedule performed two-thirds of a grade level to a full grade level below average in math as well as consistently performing lower on other subjects such as reading tests. Finally, the group pointed out that no students or parents were involved in the decision, and had they been involved, the schedule process might have gone differently.

“No parent was invited into the committee, and to date no parent has been selected,” parent Jason Tveten said. “We are being shut out of the process.”

However, there was one speaker, WHS science teacher Graham Stansbery, who advocated in support of the proposed schedule. Stansbery chose to support the schedule because he trusted the committee in knowing WHS’ needs. Stansbery ended his statement by asking parents to treat teachers as professionals to allow them to do their job.

“I know it’s not perfect, and you can find data that supports either side,” Stansbery said. “But there is no data that is Wenatchee High School. That’s why I trust the committee, they know our demographic.”