By LARRY LANNAN
A school calendar and school start times had been set for Hamilton Southeastern Schools for the coming school year, but the pandemic and budget issues may bring changes. The HSE School Board heard proposals from administrators on both issues Wednesday night.
First, on class start times, high school would change from 8:20 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The intermediate and junior high school stat time would move from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Elementary start times would remain the same.
The new times will help in the three-tier bus scheduling system and reduce the need for bus drivers. Bus drivers have been in short supply.
Assistant Superintendent Matt Kegley told the board block scheduling for the higher grades can help keep the amount of class time well within state requirements.
Kegley told board members the calendar adjustments deal with fewer flex days and more e-learning days. Kegley pointed out the differences in e-learning and virtual. E-learning is doing assignments while not under the teacher’s guidance, while virtual learning is a class setting held virtually via Zoom.
The revised 2021-2022 school year calendar is available at this link.
The proposed 2022-2023 school calendar is available at this link.
The start time changes and calendars will be up for board approval at the April 28 board meeting.