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Parents and teachers urge delay to 6‑period proposal, warn of lost electives
Summary
Parents and educators at an East Stroudsburg Area School District EPR meeting pressed administrators to delay any switch to a six‑period school day, saying the change could force students to choose between core classes and arts, and calling for broader outreach and a town hall before the board decides.
Parents, music teachers and students told the East Stroudsburg Area School District’s EPR committee on Aug. 6 that a proposed move away from the district’s hybrid block schedule could sharply reduce access to electives and performing arts. "We're effectively asking our students to pay for the potentially hard test scores and additional instructional minutes by trading away their interest, their passions, and their flexibility," said Colton, a parent of two students who said he has seen the effects firsthand.
Speakers pressed administrators to pause the process and provide detailed course-planning scenarios for affected cohorts rather than rush a change. "Please take that time to get the additional feedback from the parents and community," Colton said. Several commenters, including Jessica Vanderbleed, urged the district to consider a nine‑period compromise that would preserve electives and allow ambitious students to double up on AP or language courses. Administrators said they want to avoid doing work for options that the full board will not support but asked for direction to explore a specific model so scheduling and professional development can proceed.
The committee did not make a final choice on bell schedules. Members discussed holding one or more town halls and creating consumable communications — slide decks and social posts — to correct misunderstandings identified by residents. Administrators said a full board decision in August would be needed to keep an ambitious professional-development timetable on track for potential rollout in the 2028–29 school year.
