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Superintendent defends switch to period schedule as parents and commenters warn of lost electives
Summary
After public commenters and a board member blamed a shift from an 8-period model for lost electives and program strain, the superintendent presented research and local proficiency data, said most high schools will move to a period schedule and warned that late changes would force rewriting about 157 IEPs and remove courses.
A public delegation and several board members pressed Randolph County Schools officials on a recent shift that has left students with seven academic credits plus an advisory period instead of an eight-class day. The superintendent said district leaders had considered multiple scheduling models and, given staffing cuts and student-proficiency patterns, concluded that the period model is the most efficient under current constraints.
Why it matters: Board and public speakers warned the schedule change reduces elective opportunities and could disproportionately affect vocational programs and college-prepared students. The superintendent said switching schedules again at this point would impose heavy legal and logistical burdens, including amending Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Robin Davis, introduced by the chair as a public delegation speaker, said the scheduling shift was "hurting our kids" and urged the board to document and address the changes before the June 15 cutoff for next-year placements.
The superintendent responded with research summaries and local performance data, noting many district schools have proficiency rates below 25'35 percent in core subjects and that evidence does not show a clear academic advantage for block schedules over traditional period schedules. "The 8 period day is the most efficient use of existing personnel," the superintendent said, and added that reverting to block would create a mass of IEP work: "We have 157 IEPs at our high schools," he said, noting those plans would need review if the district changed scheduling models.
Administration offered to bring high-school leaders to a future meeting to explain how they have tried to preserve elective access within the new structure, and board members asked about summer or virtual options for students who lose access to specific courses.
Next steps: Administration said all high schools will move to a period schedule next year and offered to present school-level scheduling solutions at a forthcoming meeting so the board can evaluate student access and course offerings.
