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Millersburg board backs pilot exploratory specials class to protect teacher prep time
Summary
District staff proposed an exploratory specials class for middle school to preserve daily teacher prep time within a six‑day rotation; the pilot would use retired instructors or emergency‑certified staff under an MOU with the teachers' union and run every other day in a life‑skills kitchen space.
Superintendent Dr. Garcia described a proposed exploratory specials class intended to restore daily prep time for middle‑school teachers during the district's six‑day rotation.
The class would operate every other day and fill one of three class periods from about 8:00 to 11:15, the superintendent said. The district plans to staff early marking periods with retired or noncertified instructors under a memorandum of understanding with the teachers' union; an initial facilitator with an education degree but not full certification was discussed, and the district said the instructor was willing to pursue emergency certification if needed.
Dr. Garcia said the class would likely be ungraded and attendance‑based in the first marking period, and the district will evaluate student engagement each quarter to assess impact. He proposed using the life‑skills kitchen for culinary and family/consumer science activities, moving later into STEAM or robotics units with a retired gifted teacher and other recently retired staff filling later terms.
Board members asked about contingency staffing if a retired instructor became unavailable; staff said substitutes or additional retired personnel would be used. The board discussed the need for a clear evaluation plan and confirmed the district is discussing the proposal with the teachers' union.
The board did not take a final vote on an MOU at the meeting but included the exploratory specials facilitator as a personnel recommendation for approval in the personnel consent items.
