Knox school officials continue to address concerns about the planned elimination of block scheduling at the high school. Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart told the school board Tuesday that no one had taken him up on his offer to schedule an appointment to discuss the change.
“I’ve encouraged everyone to come in,” Reichhart said. “It was in the paper, I know, as well, and no one has contacted me.”
One member of the audience did voice concerns during Tuesday’s meeting. Jade Sorba felt that moving away from a block schedule would offer no educational benefits and reduce the number of classes that students are able to take.
But Reichhart pointed out that 41 percent of students are not currently taking the maximum of eight classes a semester, as it is. “Some could be office aides, teacher’s assistants, and then you also have some students who are taking PE and weights both,” he said. Reichhart previously explained that moving to a traditional schedule would give students more instructional time in a particular class before testing time rolls around.
Sorba also accused the school board of being negligent in its choices, including the hiring of Reichhart as superintendent, and claimed that teachers were being “silenced.” Later in the meeting, Board Member Wendy McIntire asked Corporation Attorney Bill Kaminski to explain the procedure in place for teachers to voice their concerns. “If it’s a teacher, they would have to meet with their building principal,” Kaminski said. “If they’re not satisfied at that point, then the superintendent, and if they’re not satisfied at that point, then the board can decide if they want to meet with the individual. If it’s harassment, bullying, that kind of thing, then there’s a formal board policy on how to make a formal complaint regarding that, an informal or a formal complaint.”
McIntire then listed several positive things the school board has accomplished in recent years, such as raises for teachers and support staff, the addition of a school resource officer, and a better relationship with the Knox Federation of Teachers. Board members also spent a few minutes touting the upcoming building project. “It’s just a huge step for our employees, our kids,” McIntire said. “We’ve been hoping to do that for a long time, and now, we’re going to finally get to do it.”
Board Member Mary Lynn Ritchie added that the board tries its best, and that the welfare of the students and the school corporation drives all of the board’s decisions. As previously reported, the high school schedule change does not require the board’s approval.
