Trustees were divided over the academic schedule at Armstrong Middle School at Tuesday night”s board meeting of the Starkville School District.
The board voted to approve a new schedule for the middle school that, among other things, made football practice a class during regular school hours and gave band two credits and two class periods.
The schedule breaks Monday to Thursday into five class periods of about 90 minutes each. Friday is split into nine classes, each lasting about 40 minutes.
Board member Eric Heiselt was opposed to the change. He posed several questions and concerns to Superintendent Judy Couey and administrators about the schedule.
He asked why band got “double billing” and suggested that calling football a class would treat it unfairly with other sports. Students taking band are credited with one physical education credit and one elective. Heiselt disagreed with band class without a marching band element being classified as physical education.
“It”s not equitable to say kids on the cheer squad or girls volleyball can”t practice during the day” while football was given academic time, Heiselt said.
He suggested the board table the proposed schedule change, allowing time to resolve these and other issues. His motion to table was seconded by Lee Brand, Jr., but failed on a 3-2 vote with Heiselt and Keith Coble voting to table.
Brand changed his opinion and supported the schedule change after the discussion.
In this discussion, Coble noted that they were told previously that the changes were made in part so students did not have to choose whether to participate in the band or athletics.
Assistant Superintendent Beth Sewell said having the junior high football practice during the school day allowed the school to share coaches with the high school.
Assistant Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin said other school districts across the state follow a similar schedule that allows football practice during the school day. They have not encountered problems with Title IX violations, an issue that concerned Heiselt.
Promised advantages of the new schedule include fewer transitions, decreased class size and more instructional time, which is ideal for labs. The schedule also allows for the possibility of adding electives and exploratory classes such as theater, JROTC, debate, journalism and French.
After the discussion, Eddie Myles made the motion, seconded by Brand, that passed 4-1 with Heiselt opposed.
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