Everett High to trial late-start Wednesdays for staff professional development

The Everett School Committee heard details Nov. 3 about a trial program that will move Everett High School to late-start Wednesdays so teachers and staff can participate in targeted professional development.

Superintendent Hart said the change begins Wednesday, Nov. 5, and is planned as a trial running through May. “It starts this coming Wednesday; students will report to their homeroom by 09:40,” he told the committee. He said the cafeteria will open earlier and that homeroom time will be between 9:25 and 9:40 a.m.; the regular school day end time will not change.

Hart said the time will be taken from specialty sessions or free periods and repurposed for training in the latest instructional strategies and techniques. He emphasized the district negotiated the arrangement with the Everett Teachers Association as part of contract discussions and that administrators will evaluate whether the schedule achieves intended professional-learning outcomes and whether it causes unacceptable disruption to students.

Committee members asked logistical questions: Miss Garen and Miss Babcock confirmed the change is high-school–only and asked about student arrival and entrances; Hart said students may use regular entrances and both staffed entry points will remain available with check-in procedures. The superintendent said the district will send reminders to families via email and the Remind app before the first late-start day.

Next steps: the district will implement the trial, monitor instructional and operational effects, and report back to the committee in May. Parents and families were to receive communications in advance of the first date to reduce confusion on arrival times.