Longer days in LPS?

Lawrence superintendent Dr. John Fitzsimons is pressing ahead with a plan to increase instructional time by extending school hours next year, even as he confronts resistance from parents who say they are worried about the unintended consequences of such a change.

If the plan is adopted, elementary students would begin their school days 65 minutes earlier, at 8:15 a.m., and end at 2:45 p.m., 45 minutes earlier than the current schedule. The schedule change would also affect Lawrence Middle School students, who would have their day extended by 29 minutes, to 3:49 p.m. Lawrence High School classes would begin 15 minutes earlier, at 7:34 a.m., and end 38 minutes later, at 3:13 p.m.

Fitzsimons points out that the plan would also add a new “flex schedule” at the high school, which would lengthen periods from 41 to 48 minutes, resulting in a 17 percent increase in instructional time and an additional 28 1/2 days of schooling.

“It is great for the instructional program,” he said of the proposal. “This is a much better schedule.”

Teachers would still teach the same number of periods, and would either arrive later or leave earlier. There would be no additional busing needed to accommodate the extended hours, Fitzsimons said.

The proposed schedule change has the support of all of the district's principals. “I feel it would be very beneficial,” said LHS Principal Geoffrey Touretz of the increased instructional time. “One-on-one time with our faculty is invaluable.”

The proposed changes worry many parents, however, including PTA leaders from the Number Four School in Inwood, who spoke at a Dec. 15 school board meeting. “To increase high school education by extending their day by an hour, lower-school students and families will be significantly affected and inconvenienced,” said Peri Caponi, saying that waking 3- to 5-year-olds earlier would be a major inconvenience for children and their parents. “There are many issues that need to be addressed before a change like this goes

into effect.”