Owen County High School
students might be running on a different schedule next year.
At January’s school board meeting, members discussed the
possibility of changing the instructional day.
The high school currently runs on a modified block schedule,
with some classes lasting 45 minutes and running all year and
other classes that last 90 minutes and change each semester.
Principal Tim Hitzfield brought the idea to the board, citing
the effect on CATS scores as one of the possible benefits the
schedule change could offer.
“We have 71 days to prepare for CATS tests (from Jan.
4),” Hitzfield said.
He said he does not have just one possibility in mind in terms
of how the schedule will change, but stresses that both he and
his staff want to do what is best for the students.
“We want to give them the best opportunity to be successful,”
he said. “We must use instructional time to increase student
achievement; that is the sole purpose, no matter what.”
Hitzfield said some of the options discussed would require additional
staffing, something the board has to decide on. Hiring new people
requires a certain amount of money, so it would have to be decided
before the tentative budget is sent in May.
“It’s not a matter of not wanting to do it,”
Superintendent Mark Cleveland said. “It’s ‘can
we afford this for the long haul?’”
The school board has the right to set graduation requirements
– which could be affected by a change in the school day
– but the school itself determines the instructional day.
Cleveland said he hopes to have a final decision by March or
earlier, especially if he needs to recruit new teachers, and
also to let students know before the school year is over.
Hitzfield said he has investigated different alternative schedules,
with the help of the Site-based Council. The council formed
an ad-hoc committee to look at the possibilities.
“The process has been very self-reflective (for the staff),”
he said.
Darren Holt is a council member who has researched possible
alternatives to the current schedule in place at the high school.
In looking at what other schools in the state do, Holt also
looked at what electives were offered and how each change would
be feasible.
He said there is no guarantee that a schedule change could help
CATS scores increase, but his research found some schools it
did help. He also said the committee would look at information
from colleges and businesses where former OCHS students are
employed.
“What do people say about the kids we graduate?”
Holt said.
Like Hitzfield, Holt said the committee isn’t looking
at just one option; they are looking at what would be the best
use of school time and if a change is even necessary. The committee
will bring their report to the council at a Feb. 7 meeting.
A decision may be made at the regularly scheduled meeting on
Feb. 14.
“Any decision made is about what is best for the students,”
Holt said. “That’s in the back of our mind before
we make any decision.”
The committee has held open meetings to get parent, student
and teacher input as well. One took place Monday and many in
attendance brought up their concerns.
One concern was how the current scheduling effects band programs.
The comment was made that with all of the classes that are mandatory,
many students can’t afford to devote one-fourth of their
time to music. There was also a discussion about the loss of
electives.
The ideas of a smaller class size and a homework policy were
brought up, as well as a possible schedule where half the day
was a block schedule and the other half was periods.
Money seemed to be an issue as some said there wasn’t
enough money for all the students in every class to have the
textbooks they need and the question was asked, “How will
we pay for new teachers if we can’t pay for books?”
The meeting ended with no clear-cut decision and no unanimous
agreement on what should be done.
In making this decision, Hitzfield said the school has been
given the opportunity to look at what they need to do.
“The underlying factor is time,” he said.
No final decision has been made or is expected to be made for
a short time.
“We wanted a commitment to the board,” Hitzfield
said. “If we are going to spend all this time, it has
to be something they will at least consider.”
Cleveland said it comes down to a money issue, as far as if
new teachers need to be hired.
“You want to spend money in a place where you can get
a return,” he said.
Hitzfield said he is confident that all involved will come to
a good decision, and all involved agree that what is best for
the students is the most important part of this issue.
National School Board Month
January is National School Board Month. Those who do not attend
monthly meetings may know little about who is on Owen County’s
School Board and how it works.
“Our board is a little different than most,” Cleveland
said. “Four (of the five members) are ‘legacies.’”
By legacies, he means four board members are the second generation
to serve in their family. They all had fathers who served on
the board in previous years.
Owen County School Board members are Stuart Bowling, Terry Patterson,
Bryan Young, Brett McDonald and Carol Shelton.
The board members have another common thread. Each has –
or had at one time – a child in the Owen County School
System.
“That shows commitment,” Cleveland said, “and
that they have a vested interest.”
While they do get paid monthly for being on the board, they
hold meetings they don’t get paid for.
“It’s kind of a thankless job,” Cleveland
said.
With the idea of a changing schedule and the possibility of
new teachers, it is also one of the board’s functions
to make sure they work effectively.
“That’s the stuff that Joe Public doesn’t
see,” he said.
He said the job has changed dramatically since KERA came in
about 10 years ago.
The board is responsible for setting policies, but does not
deal with personnel issues, as some may think. They are there
to represent the people.
“The biggest thing they do is support what’s going
on in those buildings,” Cleveland said.
