Epperson urges change to high school schedule

The Fairfield school board is going to look into a new class schedule at Fairfield High School, which would allow students more opportunities to take classes required for graduation as well as exploratory classes.

FHS guidance counselor Mark Epperson expressed his concerns about the current seven-period day to the school board Monday.

Beginning with the class of 2011, students must take four years of English, three years each of math, science and social studies to meet the Iowa Core Curriculum graduation requirements.

Epperson said students are already requesting to take more classes than their schedules allow, which forces them to make choices and drop elective classes.

Epperson pointed out changing the schedule requires more than just reprogramming the class bell times. The student handbook, students? four-year plans, class registration forms, the curriculum guide, the required number of graduation credits and teachers? delivery styles are only a few of the changes that would need to be made, he said.

?If we?re making a change for 2010, changes have to be in place by November 2009,? he said.

A team from the high school had brought a possible schedule to the board in 2007, but Epperson said the board has been dealing with other issues, such as grade-alike schools and replacing retiring administrators, and the high school schedule was set aside.

?What was seen as a problem years ago, is still a problem,? said Epperson. ?We need to do what should have been done years ago. This is all about increasing opportunities.?

For the complete article, see the Tuesday, March 10, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.