The Port Washington-Saukville School District board voted to change the Port Washington High School schedule to four block days with a weekly “skinny” day and an additional 17 minutes of instruction per high school day. The board approved the measure by voice vote after hearing students and staff describe instructional and student-support benefits.

Supporters, including student presenters and school staff, said longer class periods allow deeper, hands-on learning — for example, science labs and culinary classes can be conducted more than once per week — and reduce the nightly homework load by consolidating four classes instead of eight. One student told the board longer class sessions give more time for “one-on-one time with the teachers” and for completing work during class, which helps students who juggle sports or jobs.

School leaders said the change also expands “resource” time from twice to four times weekly, enabling more timely tier 2 and tier 3 interventions and targeted small groups. Administrators noted neighboring districts using block schedules and presented survey and committee feedback: some students favor block days while others worry about attention during long lecture-style classes. District staff said professional development will be required to shape pacing and active-engagement strategies for 80-minute blocks.

The board’s motion, described by the superintendent as a move to “a 4 block days and a skinny day” plus the 17-minute extension, passed in a voice vote. District leaders said next steps include convening the scheduling committee in January, finalizing logistics (lunch configurations, bus timing) and rolling out professional development and family communications before implementation.

A next procedural step: the board will return to finalize the district calendar and confirm operational details such as finals scheduling and transition plans for students who travel between TJ (the district middle school) and the high school.