Mead School Board Approves Schedule

With construction completed on Mount Spokane High, plans for the academic structure of the new Mead school are being polished.

The Mead School Board on Tuesday approved plans for customized schedules at Mount Spokane and Mead high schools that give teachers and students 100-minute periods twice a week.

Staff voted a year ago not to switch to a full block schedule, because they were too busy with opening the new school to learn the new teaching techniques necessary for the longer periods.

But this winter, staffs of both schools approved plans for partial block schedules. The Mount Spokane staff approved the change by 97 percent.

Mount Spokane Principal Mike Dunn, a proponent of block scheduling and who introduced it to Shadle Park High, said the training sessions this spring were preparing teachers for the change.

“We’re ready to learn,” said Dunn.

Block schedules have gained popularity recently as schools attempt to improve instruction.

Lakeside High has had an extended-period schedule for four years. In a recent survey, parents strongly endorsed the schedule.

Shadle Park High is finishing its first year of extended class periods. Surveys are still being compiled, but a majority of teachers like the change, according to assistant principal Staci Vesneske.

A recent staff report detailed the highs and lows: fewer tardies and absences, less time wasted with administrative minutiae like roll call, more substantiative discussions in social studies and English classes, time to complete science and home economics labs.

English department chair Sharon Becker initially was skeptical but she now loves the longer periods so much that the one day a week of traditional schedule seems seem cramped. “Monday’s are miserable now, because we only have 50 minutes,” said Becker.

Some departments were concerned that students who missed class because of illness had problems catching up.

“Students who have had trouble with math seem to be having more difficulty than in the past,” said the staff report.

While staff grapple with the academic change, the $22 million Mount Spokane High remains on schedule, under budget and surprisingly hassle-free.

“Let me find some wood to knock on quickly,” said John Dormaier, head of Mead construction services.

The district will take control of the building June 1, and principal Mike Dunn and office staff plan to move in mid-month.

Desks will be delivered beginning July 1.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SCHEDULE CHANGE Mead School District is shifting its high schools to partial block schedules next year. Here are the details: A traditional schedule Monday, Tuesday and Friday, with six 55-minute periods. On Wednesday and Thursday, the schools will have three 100-minute period. Students will attend periods 1, 3 and 5 on Wednesday and 2, 4, and 6 on Thursday. A 45-minute pre-school period will allow teachers to compare notes on the schedule change, and students to talk with teachers and receive make-up or extra assignments.