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Board hears confusion over new elementary lunch schedule as Lifewise expands into upper grades
Summary
Bradford Exempted Village administrators proposed shifting elementary lunches to 11:05–11:55 to align with high school scheduling and ease coverage; board members requested clearer schedule materials and pressed administrators to keep Lifewise instruction outside academic time after the program was expanded to fourth and fifth grades.
Administrators at the Bradford Exempted Village Board of Education’s May 13 meeting outlined a proposed elementary schedule change that would shift lunch to 11:05–11:55 and adjust daily blocks so three grades are in lunch/recess while three are in class. The change is intended to align elementary timing with the high school bell schedule, ease scheduling for shared staff such as the music teacher, and improve substitute coverage during two-hour delays and early dismissals.
Board members repeatedly said the printed schedule was confusing as presented. Several asked whether the block numbering (fourth, fifth period) meant students would miss instruction; administrators clarified that when one block is at lunch the other block will be in instructional activities and that specials and Title I/special-education time would not be routinely pulled. The board asked administration to “clean up” and return a clearer schedule next month before the change is implemented.
The discussion tied into a separate but related agenda item: Lifewise, a community character/religious-release program that the district has partnered with, plans to expand into fourth and fifth grades. Administration proposed scheduling Lifewise during lunch and recess to avoid taking students out of academic instruction. Board members said they had previously understood Lifewise would take place during library or specials, and some said earlier implementations had pulled students out of tutoring or other instructional time. Administration apologized for the communication gap and said Lifewise leaders had agreed to provide sessions during nonacademic time; a speaker referenced an Ohio law permitting religious-release programs during nonacademic periods.
Administrators described ongoing coordination with Lifewise, including regular meetings, use of ClassDojo for volunteer communication and an annual reenrollment/opt-in process for parents. They said Lifewise will continue to be limited to nonacademic time unless volunteer capacity grows and the district and Lifewise agree to a different plan. Parents may opt children out midyear, and administrators said participation numbers to date have been steady.
Board members pressed for clearer materials showing how blocks and lunches interact so they could confirm the change would not reduce students’ instructional minutes. The administration committed to revising the printed schedule and presenting it again at the next meeting.
