Collier high schools to retain block schedule

Students will continue with the block schedule, taking core classes such as English, math and science for 86 minutes.

School Board members on Thursday considered changing to the more traditional approach of 40-minute classes, but decided the potential savings of $2 million didn't have enough allure.

By a 4-1 "consensus" vote, board members decided to keep the block schedule. Chairwoman Linda Abbott dissented.

"I don't think this community would support less than eight credits per year," said member Pat Carroll, referring to students being able to take eight credits per year with the block, as opposed to six credits with the traditional schedule.

In the past decade, education reformers have turned to the block schedule, and Collier County is no different. Advocates argue it gives teachers more time to investigate a topic in depth and gives teens fewer opportunities to get into trouble while roaming school halls.

Barron Collier High Principal Ron Miller told the board more students have taken and passed advanced placement courses as a result of the block schedule.

Furthermore, Gulf Coast High Principal Eric Williams said there are more chances for remedial classes with the block.

"That safety net is a key model of the block schedule," Williams said.

At Collier's high schools, students take four classes every day for a 90-day term, except at Lely High, where students take eight classes every other day for a 180-day term.

Kevin Huelsman, who oversees high school programs, said changing from the block to the traditional schedule wouldn't really save $2 million.

With the traditional schedule, he noted, the district would need to offer summer school, at a cost of about $1.2 million, plus an optional seventh period, so that remedial and advanced placement classes could be offered, at a cost of about $1 million.

Member Steve Donovan questioned why the district's reading scores haven't improved and mused about a traditional schedule helping in that area.

On the other hand, he wanted to have continuity for students.

"If we make changes, it needs to be a couple years down the road," he said.

Member Kathleen Curatolo agreed, saying: "It's important to have consistency at all the high schools."

Chairwoman Abbott, however, countered the 90-day term presents problems.

"Kids can't be sick for one day or they'll miss out," she said.

Scheduling conflicts also create problems, Abbott noted, making it difficult for students who want to transfer between schools.

Students can also end up going for as long as a year between certain classes such as math.

But her peers thought the block schedule should remain.

Member Dick Bruce said, "I'm a proponent of the block and letting schools decide (the specific format)."