Parents, students and residents urge board to keep CTE entry courses on block schedule; deliver petition

At the Davenport Community School District board meeting, several parents and community members pressed the board to reverse a recent change that shortens entry-level CTE class periods to 45 minutes, saying the shorter period will not give students enough time for hands-on work and may prompt instructors to leave.

The petition, presented by Corey Carter, requests that the board “direct administrative leadership to revert the CTE classes back to block schedule for the 2025–26 school year” and says it carries more than 1,000 signatures. Carter cited Iowa Code 279.8b in the packet he provided to the board and said he will distribute the full petition transcript to media outlets.

Why it matters: District officials and parents framed the debate as a curriculum, staffing and equity concern. Parents said short entry-level CTE blocks reduce hands-on lab time and hinder students’ ability to discover interest in programs such as welding and robotics; several speakers warned that experienced instructors might leave if schedules limit course quality.

Angie Ehlers, a Davenport resident, told the board she worried a 45-minute introductory period would not allow enough time for students to prepare, change clothes and try tasks that indicate whether they want to pursue a CTE pathway. “The 45 minute cutting it down to 45 minutes worries me a little bit for the first time or the classes before they get into the 90 minute sessions,” Ehlers said.

Rob Ewalt, another resident, said his son had registered under a previously advertised block schedule and that families were not notified when the change was implemented. He asked the board why the schedule being taught to families and students did not match what was later implemented and questioned keeping foreign language on a block schedule while shortening hands-on CTE time.

Corey Carter presented the petition packet and asked the board to amend its September 9 vote that approved the schedule change. Carter said the petition requests a reversion for the 2025–26 school year and a phase-two option to allow 45-minute sessions only where appropriate. “Amend your vote of September 9 to make this change and make it right for [Davenport] CTE kids,” Carter said.

Discussion vs. decision: These remarks occurred during the meeting’s public comment period; the transcript contains no district action or vote reversing the schedule. Board members did not take formal action on the petition during the meeting; the item remains in the public-comment stage.

Next steps: Petitioners said they will return with the issue at future meetings. Board members did not indicate a scheduled response at this meeting.