|
Erik Ohlund has yet to pick out his cap and gown for next spring's
U-Hi commencement exercises - but that doesn't mean he won't be
moving on with the class of 2004.
The U-Hi principal, who recently announced his resignation, effective
at the end of the school year, said he feels a certain kinship with
this year's seniors.
"I really do have this sense of graduating with the class of
2004," Ohlund said. "I'm going to miss this place. There's
a kind of a little bit of an ache in my heart growing now."
Ohlund's decision came on the heels of a series of Central Valley
School District meetings centered around upcoming budget cuts. He
said he grew concerned with the proposed reductions in staff and
the reevaluation of the four-period day at the district's two high
schools.
When it became clear that he was not getting his point across,
Ohlund decided to change career paths.
"I didn't feel like I could effectively communicate the needs
of our building at this critical moment," he said. "I
just wasn't getting acknowledgment that these were critical factors
that needed to be addressed."
Ohlund maintains that a switch to the six-period day would put a
strain on textbooks, rooms and a culminating project required of
seniors. A U-Hi study revealed the school would be 7 or 8 rooms
short if the move was made to a six-period day.
A recent poll at U-Hi showed that 96 percent of staff support keeping
the four-period day.
"We believe this is the best way to educate our kids,"
Ohlund said.
Another concern centers around preparation for the Washington Assessment
of Student Learning test. Supporters of the four-period day - and
the tutorial advisory period that comes with it - believe the format
benefits students when it comes to preparing for the test.
Half of the incoming U-Hi class did not pass the math section of
the WASL test in the seventh grade, school officials say. When it
came to the reading portion, 42 percent failed.
At Monday night's district meeting - held at Evergreen Middle School
and attended by over 300 people - the four-period day was at the
top of nearly everyone's agenda.
Most supported keeping the schedule in place. A steady stream of
U-Hi teachers spoke of the benefits of longer classes, saying the
extra time allows for enhanced discussion and more interaction with
students.
"The kids are being successful with this program at U-Hi,"
said history teacher Don Owen. "It works. I'm telling you we
reach kids now that we couldn't with the six-period day."
District board members were presented with a petition supporting
the four-period day signed by some 1,200 U-Hi students.
"All in all, the students at University High like the four-period
day and would like to see it remain," said senior Lars Bouge,
U-Hi's ASB treasurer.
A number of U-Hi parents said the schedule promotes critical thinking
skills and gives students time to focus more intently on particular
subjects. Frank Wilson -whose daughter and son have graduated from
U-Hi and gone on to attend Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology respectively - said the four-period day is a boon
for students.
"Complex subjects are assisted by longer periods," he
said. "You need time. You can't do that in 50 minutes."
Critics of the schedule maintain that classes involving subjects
like music and art are crowded out, leaving kids with limited options
and squeezed for time.
Craig Finley, whose daughter attends Central Valley High School
and is involved in drama and music, said the four-period schedule
can translate into a long day for kids.
"It's pretty typical for them to be gone from 6:30 in the
morning until 5 or 6 at night sometimes," he said. "When
they get home, they're exhausted."
District officials say they have not made any final decisions about
the schedule to this point. A determination should come at some
point in January. The district has announced that next year's budget
will need to be trimmed by $550,000.
"Teachers will continue to teach, and students will continue
to learn," said Jay Walter, the district's assistant superintendent.
"We are part of the finest profession in the world. We'll be
OK."
In other district news from Monday's meeting, Ann Long was named
the new board president, replacing Craig Holmes. Debra Long - who
defeated 12-year board member Kay Bryant on Nov. 4 - was officially
sworn in to her post.
Click
here to...
Subscribe to the Spokane Valley News Herald
|
