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District outlines summer school schedule and enrollment plans; trustees question bell schedule
Summary
District staff presented summer school plans (June 10–July 9; two 10‑day/60‑hour sessions; host site Los Altos this year) and estimated 400–600 students per session; trustees raised concerns about long daily bells and student wellbeing.
District staff provided a detailed overview of summer-school options, schedules and enrollment procedures at the April 20 board meeting, prompting trustees to question daily bell lengths, staffing and student wellbeing.
Suzanne Wolffoke, director of alternative programs, told the board the district will run two in-seat sessions (10 school days / 60 instructional hours) June 10–July 9 for credit recovery; Los Altos High School will host in-seat programming this year while ESY (Extended School Year) students remain in their current ATP and Mountain View classrooms.
Wolffoke explained that the district now uses a counselor-driven enrollment model (opt-out for preidentified D/F recovery), estimated typical session enrollment at roughly 400–600 students with attrition after day one, and said general education and “essentials” courses will operate on a block schedule (8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.). She added smaller, targeted sessions include two six‑day incoming‑9th‑grade academies and a short 2.5‑day animation/film offering for incoming 10th graders.
Student board members and trustees pressed staff on the bell schedule and student focus: one trustee asked whether a 8:30–3 p.m. block with limited breaks supports students’ physical and mental wellbeing, noting 15‑minute brunch and shorter lunch in the schedule. Staff said longer days are balanced by fewer overall days and that staffing constraints and course demands informed the schedule; about 35 certificated staff are typically needed per session.
Trustees asked for additional information and suggested a future discussion of bell schedule trade-offs and student wellbeing. Wolffoke and staff agreed to return with more enrollment and staffing data and to coordinate mailings and counselor outreach to families.
Ending: Staff will finalize summer-school communications to families and provide the board with updated enrollment, staffing counts and any recommended adjustments to the bell schedule ahead of program start in June.
