School district examines fewer class periods

The Cape Girardeau School District is grappling with an important decision.

Should it reduce the number of class periods from eight to seven at the junior high and high schools?

The district went up to eight from seven more than 10 years ago.

The reason given for the potential change is to reduce costs; the plan would save the district between $600,000 and $800,000 annually. The district superintendent, James Welker, indicated the savings would be used, at least in part, to raise lagging teacher salaries.

One significant drawback, as was pointed out by those in attendance of last week's school board meeting, is that it would limit students' options for loading up on Advanced Placement courses. There was no discussion of eliminating courses, but for high achievers who want to attain college credits, push those weighted grade-point averages higher and build the best possible college resume, they will have fewer opportunities with the period reduction.

Central is known locally, and has boasted for quite some time, that its advanced placement course offerings compete with any district around. Indeed the school has turned out some brilliant students, some of the brightest in the country.

Others expressed concerns that electives such as band, music, industrial technology and art classes will be dropped by students if the school day is squeezed.

Before limiting the options of some of the best students the city has to offer, it's prudent for the school board to examine all sides.

Is the district's financial situation so bleak that this move is necessary?

If so, then the district erred in approving the massive and expensive 1:1 initiative. This point was brought out by a teacher who spoke to Southeast Missourian reporter Katie Lamb, and was on point. If weighing the option between more educational options for students, better pay for (and thus recruitment for) teachers and electronic devices for all students, we're not convinced the district made the right choice.

At any rate, this decision deserves in-depth examination. That the teachers only learned of the proposal a few days before it was discussed raises some concerns.

If the board decides to go through with the plans for the next school year, it would need to do so quickly because students begin choosing schedules in January. There was no public comment during the work session, but teachers plan to voice their concerns during the next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday. The public was given two days to request permission to comment to the board at the next meeting Monday night.

Lamb's story reported that faculty members from the junior high school have created a five-page list of questions and concerns. An eighth-grade student is gathering petition signatures.

All indications are that this is a decision that will invoke strong opinions.

Would it be the end of the world if the school district dropped a school period? It would not. The district's school day was once seven periods. Many if not most schools have seven periods.

But this is a decision about the values and priorities of the district and the community.

It would be prudent for the district to take its time, listen to constituents, examine the district's priorities and its fiscal health. It's a choice that shouldn't be rushed.