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Second informational meeting explains split shift option for NBBy Danielle Strenke The second in a three-part series of informational meetings was held Monday, for district residents to hear about the possibility of split shifts to alleviate overcrowding in North Branch schools. Principals at each of the schools, along with activities director Becky Leuer, community education director Jeanne Leland, and director of finance Randi Johnson, discussed the pros and cons of two different split shift options. Superintendent Dr. Robert Stepaniak first explained that the staff was instructed to study the impact with several assumptions in mind. These included keeping programs much the same as they are now, support services remaining intact, and class sizes not becoming larger. Two scenarios were discussed on split shiftsñ one at the secondary level and one at the elementary level. The model used for a secondary split shift would have high school students attending class from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and middle school students attending class from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All of these students, grades 7-12, would receive instruction at the current high school. For the elementary split shift model, it was assumed that schedules at the middle school and high school would remain the same. Grades kindergarten through third would attend classes at the Primary School, while fourth and fifth would be at the Main Street School. The elementary schools would then operate essentially two separate schools during the day, with one session of classes from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the second from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Classes would be split along geographic lines. As an example, all third graders living in the eastern half of the district would attend the first session, while third graders in the western half of the district would attend the second session. She also said there is potential to reduce class sizes, efficiently share textbooks and other materials and equipment, and better aligns the grade levels. She said the split shift would allow the district to keep the school calendar intact, and children in the same household, grades K-5, would now be on the same schedule. On the downside, Fischer said families with children at different schools would be facing two different shifts, which could complicate child care issues for younger kids. ìWith the buildings being used from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., community groups could find it more difficult to schedule meeting times and places. Right now we have many groups meeting in the building,î she said. While there were advantages cited in the elementary split shift scenario, high school principal Michael Trok could see no advantages at the high school level in a secondary split shift scenario. He said the school would have to reduce the number of class offerings, and class times would be reduced, losing several days from the school year. One of his major concerns was congestion when the two shifts change. ìWe will have 1,800 students here at one timeñmajor gridlock,î he said. A substantial impact at the middle school level would be that all after school activities and middle school sports would have to be cancelled. ìRight now they practice after school and games are at 4 p.m.,î activities director Becky Leuer said. ìI donít think any schools want to come play those games at 6 p.m.ñat least the ones I talked to said they wouldnít.î An audience member criticized the split shift scenarios as an ìall or nothingî option. ìWhy canít you look at staggered schedules throughout the day?î she asked. Dr. Stepaniak said neither the school board nor district administration had ruled out other options pertaining to split shifts. ìWe had to have some assumptions to begin looking at this,î he said. ìThe board could say now look at overlapping schedules. There are variations to split shifts.î Randi Johnson said the district did look into staggered shifts several years ago. ìWhat could happen is you have 1,800 students here in the middle of the schedule, and eating lunch,î she said. Another member of the audience of 100 people had a concern about growth. ìDid the city of North Branch ever talk to the school district about letting all these people move in,î she asked. Board member Rick Olseen said for himself, he did not think that was the job of the school board. ìOur district is made up of more communities than North Branchñour board members are from different communities,î he said. ìWe would have to talk to Harris and Stacy and Almelund and Branch Township too.î Another audience member was convinced that the district had set up this scenario to make a new school look more appealing. ìA lot of people will see this as your tantrum over not getting a new building,î he said. ìThat could backfire by making it even more difficult to get a new building.î Dr. Stepaniak assured the audience that this scenario was not being studied to be vindictive toward those who voted down the referendum. ìIím simply saying there are no good options. Not everyone will think this is the best, but weíve looked at these options before. I think we need space for 1,000 students, and a new school is the best option. But we have overcrowding issues that need to be addressed now.î There was some discussion about why additions could not be used at the middle school or high school. Board members said architects were instructed to look at that possibility, but with the additional costs to modifying existing heating, cooling and electrical systems, it was not as cost effective. ìWe knew the costs would be high at the primary school.î The first informational session held by the district explained the option of leasing portable classrooms. The third session will be held Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at the high school. It will explore the options of year-round school. All district residents are encouraged to attend. ©ECM Post Review |