Lockport Twp HSD 205 approves eighth-period schedule and staffing plan for East Campus

Dr. Bob McBride, superintendent of Lockport Township High School District 205, told parents and guardians that the board approved an eighth-period schedule at East Campus and the staffing plan to support it during the board’s March 16 meeting.

McBride said the district presented a staffing plan developed since late October and asked the board to add 19 positions to accommodate student course requests tied to the new eighth period. “We are asking our board of education to add 19 additional positions to make up for the addition of an eighth period at East Campus,” McBride said.

The staffing request breaks down into 15 new teaching positions and four social workers; McBride said the four social-worker positions were approved last month. He gave examples of academic priorities driving hires: “We have a huge increase in social studies. Six new social studies teachers,” McBride said, and added that five new openings are for college-and-career/applied areas such as business, technology and family and consumer science.

McBride framed the schedule change as both an expansion of academic rigor and an increase in elective opportunity, saying an eight-period day will let students take richer, more challenging non‑fiction coursework and more classes they enjoy. He acknowledged trade-offs: the district must hire more staff and absorb higher costs. “It means more work. And certainly it means more expense,” McBride said.

McBride also noted the district’s financial profile, saying about 85% of expenses are spent on personnel, and described the staffing decision as a human-centered investment rather than merely an accounting adjustment. He said the changes are planned to take effect in August 2026 and closed the briefing by thanking staff and students for their work on enrollments and course planning.

The superintendent opened the briefing by highlighting student recognitions at the March 16 meeting — more than 120 students attended an East Campus celebration for an Eagle Scout and two National Merit finalists — and by thanking assistant principals and department chairs who helped analyze enrollments and class-section needs. McBride named assistant principals Josh Oster, Jason Osbol, Robert Beachch and Matt Bartley as part of leadership who supported the staffing process.

The board brief did not include motion text, a vote tally or individual roll-call votes in the recorded summary. Parents and community members seeking further detail on exact job descriptions, salary costs or formal board minutes should consult the district’s posted board packet and meeting minutes for March 16, 2026.