On Dec. 10, the department chairs passed a new schedule that will allow seven periods within a school day going from 8 a.m. to 3:30 in the afternoon. Students will be required to take six classes.
Next, FHS Principal Cathy McDevitt will negotiate with the Kalispell Education Association for two required waivers.
The waivers will give teachers two options. Those who choose to teach from period 1-7 will receive a second prep period to use for collaboration or integration. They will be relieved of the half hour they are now required to stay before and after school. Those teachers who choose to teach periods 1-6 or 2-7 will be required to stay for the half hour before and after school, with only one prep period, as in the current contract.
The union, the school board and the administration will form a committee to agree on these waivers.
A new schedule has been in the works for years. The school board gave McDevitt a mandate in 1993 to change the schedule to include seven periods.
"They still feel strongly to make the seven-period schedule available to bus students," said McDevitt. "Although the current schedule serves many students' needs, it certainly isn't equitable."
"I think it would be interesting to try schedule B," said Vice Principal Gene Boyle. "It would give more kids the opportunity to take more classes in a reasonable time frame."
"Schedule B has great opportunities for the staff as well as for the students," said McDevitt. "There are so many possibilities with this schedule. It will help kids to think about their future and us to think about the future of FHS."
Some staff members are disgruntled about the new schedule. Opponents feel that the current schedule is adequate and there is no need to change.
"I think some oppose change itself," said McDevitt. "Also they don't understand the intent or the ramifications. But I am baffled as to why they would deny others an opportunity that would also serve their needs."
"I don't think we need to change, just for change's sake," said head of the math department, Larry Kaber. "Not all of the bus students will take seven classes. I think the bus students will be loitering because they're only taking six classes. But we won't know until we see how it goes next year."
Said English department head Sue Brown: "I prefer schedule B. It provides a great deal of flexibility to meet staff needs while at the same time doing the best job of meeting student needs."