The Plum School Board is looking to make it possible for junior and senior high school students to take advantage of a wider array of elective courses offered by the district.
Plum School Board member Jan Schoeneberger said she plans to conduct talks with the Plum Education Association about adding an eighth period to the school day.
"The students are being shorted," Schoeneberger said Wednesday. "They have no opportunity to explore. Many have to wait until their senior year to take electives."
Schoeneberger said with the current seven-period day, many students, particularly those who are planning to go to college, have many required classes to fit into their busy schedules.
Schoeneberger said the state Department of Education requires students to take two electives each year, and many choose computer and foreign language classes.
Plum School District offers a variety of electives. At last week's school board meeting alone, members added a keyboarding for eighth graders at O'Block Junior High School and Art IV at the high school.
The renovations to the O'Block Junior High and the high school also have afforded the district more space to offer more classes. The high school renovations are expected to be completed in August 2003.
Schoeneberger said many students have no opportunity to take electives like a foods class or a child development course which are offered as part of the family and consumer sciences curriculum.
"They have no room for these classes," Schoeneberger said.
Board member Mary Louise Anderson said she favors the eight-period day.
In particular, Anderson would like the extra period so the district could add a class on stress and anger management.
"With all the problems and troubles kids have today, I think it would be a good idea," Anderson said.
Schoeneberger said other options for additional classes include the fifth level for certain foreign languages and possibly introductory courses in Latin and Chinese.
To add an extra period to the day, Schoeneberger said a few minutes could most likely be shaved off the classes in the current seven-period day in both schools. Each period lasts 42 minutes at the high school and 43 minutes at the junior high.
"In conversations I have had with teachers, they are supportive," Schoeneberger said. "Their kids are in the district."
The board member admits the addition of an eighth period would have an impact on teachers' workloads and would most likely result in the hiring a few additional staff members.
"Some teachers are maxed out," Schoeneberger said.
Schoeneberger said the discussion could become a part of early-bird teacher contract negotiations. The current teacher contract expires at the end of the 2003 school year.
The board member said she would like to see the new schedule take effect during the next school year.
