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Trustees review trimester survey and propose supports; district unveils Freshman Seminar elective
Summary
Superintendent presented staff, student and parent survey results on the district's trimester schedule noting higher A-G and proficiency but ongoing D/F concerns; staff proposed training, scheduling tweaks and a new single-trimester Freshman Seminar elective to support incoming 9th graders.
The superintendent briefed trustees on findings from staff, student and parent surveys about the district's move to a trimester schedule. Administration framed the survey as a tool "to refine and improve our implementation of the current trimester," not as a referendum on returning to semesters.
Key findings presented included: increased A-G attainment and improved proficiency scores in English and math across campuses; continued persistence of D/F (DNF) rates comparable to the semester era; staff concerns about the fast pace of 12-week trimesters, workload and perceived disruptions to teacher'student relationships; and low student and parent survey response rates (students <10%, parents 79 respondents). Administration also highlighted strengths: more elective options, opportunities for credit recovery, and Warrior Pride Time supports.
In response to freshman-specific data showing higher D/F and discipline incident rates among 9th graders, the district proposed a Freshman Seminar elective: a single-trimester, A-G-eligible (G) course focused on academic identity, time management, social-emotional skills and classroom engagement. Presenters said the course would not require additional staffing (it would reallocate sections) and ideally would be offered in trimesters 1 and 2 to reach students earlier in the year.
Trustees asked for additional details and for district staff to provide scheduling data (for example, how many students have full schedules by the start of Trimester 1) and to continue professional development on pacing and lesson design. Board members also requested follow-up reporting on D/F rates and whether absenteeism correlates with lower grades.
Administration listed next steps: share student-survey results with the student advisory committee, provide training on pacing and Warrior Pride Time, evaluate master-schedule changes and consider off-roll opportunities for eligible students, and return with more precise scheduling metrics.
The board did not take a final vote on changing the schedule; several trustees expressed support for continued optimization and monitoring of trimester implementation.
