Leila Taylor, the student representative from Richmond Community High School, told the Richmond Public Schools board on Jan. 6 that the district's 4x4 bell schedule contributes to student and teacher burnout and limits instructional engagement.

"On the 4 by 4 bell schedule, classes are way too long," Taylor said in her prepared remarks, describing 90-minute periods in which students retain roughly an hour's worth of material and then disengage. She urged the board to explore alternatives, including an odd/even (8x8) schedule or full-year courses that could allow more interactive learning, labs and field trips.

Taylor described consulting classmates and teachers and said the 4x4 model made it hard to balance advanced courses with experimentation in STEM subjects. "With shorter classes, students are less likely to become burnt out and restless," she said.

Board members responded favorably to the request for a fuller review. Mister Farouk asked that the district provide a formal presentation and discussion "of the 4 by 4 schedule, what is it meeting our goals?" and suggested a committee or full-board review within the next two to three months. Miss Ricard and others echoed the call for intentional engagement with building leaders, teachers and families before any change.

Why it matters: Schedule structure affects course availability, student engagement and the allocation of instructional time across the district. Board members tied the request to broader equity and instructional-goal discussions and asked for meaningful community input.

Next steps: Board members asked administration to place the topic on a committee or future board meeting agenda for an evidence-based review and public discussion in the coming months.