Principal proposes 5-period high school day and later start; parents and board press for details

Principal Thomas told the Morgan School District Board of Education he is proposing a shift at Morgan High School from a six-period day to a five-period trimester schedule paired with an 8:00 a.m. start time, saying the change would increase direct instructional time, reduce unsupervised home-release periods and create space for more advanced coursework and concurrent-enrollment options.

The move is aimed at student growth and engagement, Principal Thomas said, noting that 91 percent of seniors currently take only four periods their senior year and that many juniors and seniors are on home release. "When I have 91 percent of my seniors not embracing...40 concurrent enrollment opportunities, I have some concerns," he said. Thomas also said a later start better aligns with research on adolescent sleep and mental health and would give teachers more pre- and post-school time for one-on-one support.

Parents who spoke during public comment said they fear the schedule will reduce access to electives such as band, choir and theater and will make students choose between advanced academic tracks and arts or seminary. Cheryl Allen, a parent, said she worries about students who struggle with math and about "cognitive load" when courses are compressed. Christina Evans and Ammon Redd, both parents, said moving to five periods could limit students' ability to take electives they value and could force students to attend 0-hour seminary or outside-school offerings to fit everything they want on their schedules.

Thomas replied that seminary remains possible during the school day and that a voluntary 0-hour seminary is an option for students who choose to take extra college-level or AP courses. He also said Morgan High’s trimester instructional minutes allow concurrent-enrollment classes to be taught in one term because class contact time at Morgan is higher than at many semester or block-schedule schools. Thomas noted that higher-education rules limit students to about 30 college credit hours per year.

Board members asked for more specifics and clearer public notice. A board member referenced Utah Code 52-4-202 (public meeting notice) while urging the administration to return with discrete agenda items — for example, start time, bell schedules, reduction in periods, graduation-requirements changes and transportation implications — so the public can review them separately. Several board members and the superintendent also urged principal and district staff to provide more direct outreach to parents, teachers and students before any final action.

The board left bell schedules and related graduation-requirements changes as discussion items; members directed staff to place more detailed items on next month’s agenda so the board can review specific proposals and impacts before a vote.