7-period school day at Cape looks certain; board OKs early separation policy

A move to fewer classes at Cape Girardeau Central High School and Junior High is all but certain, and an early separation policy approved by the school board this week is part of that effort.

"At this point, it looks like we'll be going to a seven-period day, plus advisory," said superintendent Jim Welker.

The idea of having seven class periods instead of eight came up in early November in an effort to raise teacher salaries, cut costs and find more opportunities for teachers to collaborate.

"What we're hoping to do is get all of that finalized and sent out (to constituents) very soon," Welker said.

Rather than layoffs, the idea was to offer retirement incentives to certified and non-certified district employees who qualify. Certified employees consist of teachers, counselors and some administrators; non-certified employees work as administrative assistants or in maintenance or food service.

Depending on years worked, some can receive full health and dental benefits for a year after retiring. Others can get a modified plan under early retirement. Either can happen if they submit resignation letters to the superintendent by March 1.

Those who qualify for Medicare can have the school district pay up to $121.80 toward their Part B premiums, plus a supplemental plan up to $378.20 a month. That also would continue for a year after retirement.

Shannon Clubb, president of the local teachers association, wrote in an email that tenured teachers "are our most valued, trained and treasured gems."

But "it is our position that it is important that no one feels pressure to retire. But if these folks decide to do so, CTA is appreciative of this extra perk for these honored professionals," she wrote.

All this became necessary when Welker decided to cut two preparation periods at the high school and junior high.

"When we drop from two preps to one, we end up with more staff than we need," he said.

Initially, the decision was met with concern from parents, students and especially teachers. Many were afraid cutting a class period would make it more difficult for college-bound students to take a bigger variety of classes.

"Initially, there were mixed reactions from teachers district-wide on this issue," Clubb wrote. "But once the decision was made, teachers ... rallied together to get the job done for our kids."

Welker asked principals at each school to come up with plans that would help maintain academic achievement and cut costs.

At the high school, students would have an advisory time between fourth and fifth periods, where they could get extra help. School would dismiss early on Wednesdays so teachers could have more time to collaborate.

Instead of summer school being for credit recovery alone, students could take other classes to stay ahead. Welker said advanced-placement courses probably wouldn't be offered in the summer, but instead using that time to knock out core courses would help students take more AP classes during the school year.

"We want to make sure students are still able to take lots of different courses," Welker said. "That was the objective in developing the plans."

Other aspects of the high school's plan include requiring one P.E. credit instead of two, eliminating the requirement that all freshmen take a Preparing for Academic Success class and allowing one fewer semester of Practical Arts requirements.

At the junior high, the plan is to hold an advisory period four days a week, combine English and writing classes into one, increase writing activities curriculum-wide and keep each class period at 45 minutes. Students still would be able to take two electives.

Although the school board has input in the decision, it's up to Welker and other top administrators to execute the change to seven classes a day.

ljones@semissourian.com

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