NEW ULM - The New Ulm High School will switch to a six-period school day next year, down from a seven-period day now.
The District 88 Board of Education voted 6-1 in favor of the plan, proposed by Principal Mark Bergmann. Board member Susan Nierengarten voted against it.
Bergmann said the plan seeks to increase student performance in core areas tested by the state and federal government.
Student test scores in these areas have "flatlined," calling for a different approach to increasing achievement, said Bergmann.
The plan allocates more daily teaching time to core subjects, in the process shifting the focus away from electives, acknowledged Bergmann.
It eliminates a study hall period, thus eliminating the possibility for students who choose not to take a study hall to schedule an elective during that time slot, instead.
Thirty-eight percent of students currently take a course rather than a study hall, specified Bergmann.
Another key piece is the introduction of an intervention/acceleration/specialization (IAS) period at mid-day. This period is intended to help students meet state goals and potentially also differentiate instruction.
Additionally, the plan involves a shift from quarter-long to semester-long classes in grades seven and eight.
People who opposed the plan raised several issues.
Nierengarten, who voted against it, pointed out, among other things, her wish for more clarity and specifics - including more detail on the structure and utilization of the IAS period.
She also pointed to potential issues with teacher compensation.
The current teaching contract is based on five periods of teaching, one period of preparation, and one period of supervisory duty.
It could be argued that the new IAS period changes supervisory duties into teaching, calling for a change in compensation.
Several speakers - including teachers, parents and students - addressed the board on the issue.
Some focused on the pending loss of elective opportunities, especially in areas such as music or visual art. The loss could shortchange students who are not struggling, some noted.
(Bergmann countered that pending cuts may curtail electives no matter what the period structure.)
Other audience members echoed the thought that the plan was not sufficiently developed.
"You should have a fully-understood plan," said a speaker. "You cannot build a house without a blueprint."
Yet others said the administration had not sufficiently communicated with parents, or gathered enough community input, before acting.
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In another hotly debated matter, the board voted 6-1 to direct the administration to cut the district "subsidy" to the extracurricular budget by $36,000 to $50,000, or 10 to 14 percent.
Nierengarten, who cast the dissenting vote in this case as well, argued for a larger reduction.
She stressed that while she fully understood the value of extracurriculars, in difficult financial times such as the present, the district should prioritize its primary mission - academics.