Lee County school district postpones changes to class schedules

The School District of Lee County on Tuesday said it will postpone changes to middle and high school class schedules until the 2021-2022 school year.

District spokesman Rob Spicker said the district will use the 2020-2021 school year to solicit more input from staff, students, families and advisory committees.

Most high schools were to move to a seven-period day with 15 minutes added each day, a move from a four-by-four schedule.

Superintendent Dr. Gregory Adkins said it would increase student-teacher interaction time and add the equivalent of 26 instructional days.

Lee County middle schools would have moved to a six-by-six schedule and would have added 15 minutes each day. Elementary school start and end times would have also been impacted.

Adkins sent a letter to families Tuesday evening, saying, “Based on the research that has been shared, my administrative team, our high school principals and I still firmly believe that adding time to the high school day and increasing instructional contact time will greatly benefit all students. I also firmly believe that over the course of the next few months the concerns brought forth about the changes we were recommending would have been worked out to the satisfaction of many of our parents and students.

“However, I also understand the challenge of the time that we are in and have read and listened to the communication coming into the District about making these changes now.
As a result, the School District will not implement extending the school day, nor changing the schedule for the 2020-21 school year. Instead we will work to add minutes to the school day while increasing instructional contact time per class for the 2021-22 school year. Over the next six months, we will better explain the reasons we are advocating for these changes with our families, as well as thoroughly work through the concerns that have been expressed.”