Board debates adding course period at EBHS

Eight-period day would add 72 instructional
sections, 15 teachers

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

Eight-period day would add 72 instructional
sections, 15 teachers
By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

The East Brunswick Board of Education is considering the possibility of adding an eighth course period to the day at East Brunswick High School.

The move, discussed by school officials at the Sept. 26 board meeting, would cost the district at least $750,000, if initiated, according to high school Principal Robert Murphy.

Board of Education President Michael Baker said he believes the board should consider placing a second question on next year’s ballot to ask for the necessary funds for the additional course period.

The eight-period day would allow students to take an additional course, Murphy said, adding that many students have trouble fitting in all the courses they want to take at present.

The high school currently has seven periods in addition to a lunch period.

To make time for the additional course period, officials are looking at a variety of options, as presented by Murphy last week.

One option is to reduce the amount of time in each class from the present 45 minutes to 40 minutes. Other options would result in a lengthening of the school day.

Murphy said about 300 of the high school’s 2,100 students already take eight classes a day. In order to fit in the extra course, these students do not use their lunch period. They are instead permitted to eat during or in between classes, he said.

"We cheat in that we allow them to grab a snack in between," he said.

Board member Charles King said the district needs more instructional time at the high school.

"We need to do something with instruction time," he said. "It’s a real problem."

But while the move might improve education by providing students with more course options, its cost might make it a hard sell at the polls if a referendum were pursued.

King disagreed with the idea of placing a second question on the ballot for the eighth period. He said it made no sense for the administration to keep looking at the idea if the money is not there.

An eight-period day would mean the addition of 72 instructional sections and 15 teachers.

Board member Patrick Sirr agreed with King that the cost would likely prevent the concept from becoming a reality, and noted that the board has talked about an eight-period day for the past 18 years.

He also asked if the district simply has too many course offerings.

Murphy said he does not think the school offers too many course selections, noting that many of them fill up very quickly.

Superintendent of Schools Jamie P. Savedoff said hiring 15 new teachers "would be a tremendous investment."

In September 2003, the district is scheduled to open the addition at Churchill Junior High School, resulting in the need for additional staffing there. Furthermore, the cost of the additional period could put the school budget increase for the 2003-04 school year over the state cap on expenditure increases.

Savedoff said he cannot foresee having the eight-period day unless there is a large increase in state aid or in local tax ratables.

"The board has to decide about whether they want the high school to keep studying this at this point," he said.

Board member Susan Lamond said the district needs to maintain its education level.

"If [the issue of an eighth period] has to go out to the voters, they are just going to have to put their money where their mouth is," she said.

Baker directed the administration to continue looking into the idea.

"To surrender at this point would be a very inappropriate thing to do," he said.

"It’s too premature to know if the community would not get behind this," he said, adding that the district could look at cut-backs elsewhere in order to free up money.

Board member Michael Danatos said there is no way the board can find the money needed for an eight-period day. He added that he would not support having a second question on the ballot in the next school board election.

Savedoff said the board needs to keep in mind that the district has other pressing needs as well. The Hammarskjold Middle School is overcrowded, vice principals are needed at some schools, and many still seek to establish an all-day kindergarten program.

"We’re not doing a lot of things we need to do," he said.

King recommended the creation of a priority list.

"We need to do some more homework," he said.