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Parents, Principal Clash Over Proposed Shift to Five-Period Day at Morgan High
Summary
Parents urged the board to reconsider a proposed move to a five-period/trimesters schedule, warning it could squeeze electives and complicate seminary and transportation; Principal Thomas argued the change would increase instructional time and opportunities for AP and concurrent enrollment.
Board discussion over proposed bell-schedule changes centered on Morgan High School’s plan to move from a six-period day to a five-period trimester model and shift the start time later.
Principal Thomas, who presented the proposal, framed the change as student-centered: “91% of my senior class of students take on average 4 class periods their senior year,” he said, arguing many seniors already leave early and that the trimester model would provide more concentrated instructional hours and earlier opportunities for AP and concurrent-enrollment pathways. He proposed an 08:00 start time and said the change could free time for one-on-one teacher support and in-person driver’s education.
Several parents who spoke during public comment said the proposal threatens electives and extracurricular participation. Cheryl Allen said her child “really struggles with math” and warned about compressed instruction and cognitive overload if courses are condensed. Christina Adams estimated the change would cut “about 40 hours of classroom time for each class that has changed from 3 trimesters down to 2 trimesters,” and said honors/AP students could lose flexibility to take music or foreign language. Ammon Redd added that front-loading core classes “squeezes electives out” and highlighted logistical challenges for students who rely on buses or participate in early-morning seminary.
Board members pressed administration for specifics on which items require formal board action and requested clearer public notice and more opportunities for parent, teacher and student input before any vote. Administration said graduation-requirements changes are noticed for April and transportation logistics have been coordinated with district transportation staff. The board did not take action on the bell schedule at this meeting; members asked the superintendent and principal to provide additional details to be posted and discussed at future meetings.
The discussion closed with multiple board members emphasizing community engagement and asking administration to return with clarified proposals, impact analyses for electives/transportation, and a communication plan for parents and students.
