Superintendent proposes 8-period day at East Campus to expand course access; board to consider

Superintendent Dr. Bob McBride told the district’s board of education that staff have proposed moving East Campus from a seven-period to an eight-period day to give students additional course options and comply with new study mandates from the state of Illinois.

McBride said the change follows a year of research comparing local districts’ schedules and course offerings. “We have new mandates of study coming from the state of Illinois that require us to offer our students more class opportunities,” he said, adding that the district’s analysis showed students in neighboring districts have more opportunities and that “the key to success... is being with our teachers.”

If the board approves the recommendation, McBride said the district would launch an eight-period day in August 2026; the board was scheduled to consider whether to move forward or adopt a slower timeline in October. He described the proposal as his recommendation as superintendent but did not present a formal board vote during the briefing.

District officials described staffing and cost implications as part of the proposal but did not provide a detailed cost breakdown in the brief; McBride said costs associated with the schedule change were included in materials presented to the board.