Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home High School will switch to a seven-period day next school year in response to staff cuts forced by the state’s economic difficulties.
“I was given the charge of cutting two teachers,” said Principal Pat Stineff. She said that means the school won’t be able to continue the five-period day.
In a two-semester, seven-period schedule, students can earn seven credits per year, Stineff said, while on the five-period, trimester schedule, they can take 15 classes for 7.5 credits.
Periods are 20 minutes shorter, at about 50 minutes per class, Stineff said.
Teachers will teach more students in the seven-period day, she said. In the five-period day, they teach four periods, and at 20 students per class, they’re dealing with 80 students. With seven periods, teaching six classes per day, they’ll work with 120 students per day.
Stineff is disappointed to return to the seven-period day, she said. The five-period trimester schedule provides more options for students, and they have more chances to take specific classes. Students also receive more instructional time in the five-period day.
That’s the only way she can cut the teachers without cutting programs, she said. “I’m trying to preserve as many options for kids as possible.”
The seven-period day is probably harder on the students, she said, and it is harder on the teachers, who have more classes to prep for.
The decision on what positions to cut is not final yet, Stineff said, but she must cut two full-time equivalents, a total of about $120,000 in cuts. She’s also looking for $17,500 in cuts from sports, which means fewer games.
“It’s not a fun time to be in education right now,” Stineff said.