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Central CTE teacher raises transparency and lab-time concerns for next year's schedule
Summary
A CTE teacher at Central High School urged the board in open forum to address scheduling and reduced lab time projected for next year, warning larger class sizes could impede hands-on programs like welding and automotive.
During open forum at the Davenport board meeting, Central High School CTE teacher Brian Phelps told the board he was dissatisfied with the district's scheduling process for the coming year and warned proposed changes would sharply reduce students' hands-on lab time.
Phelps said he first learned about proposed schedule changes in February and that follow-up communication has been limited. "We've been told we've got somewhere between 17 and 20 minutes of actual lab time, which is about a third of what the kids had before," he said, describing nine welding booths and concern that class sizes of 20 to 25 students would make lab rotation infeasible.
Phelps said he has discussed the issue with building administration and counselors but still lacks a confirmed schedule and student numbers for next year. He asked for oversight and clarity, saying the situation mirrored earlier, unresolved concerns he raised last fall.
The board did not respond with an action during the meeting; Phelps' remarks were taken during open forum, a time when the board does not act on non-agenda items under Iowa open-meeting rules.
