While it may move the three high schools past the bare minimum requirements for graduation, the new high school redesign, approved recently by Bedford County Board of Education, carries a pretty …
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While it may move the three high schools past the bare minimum requirements for graduation, the new high school redesign, approved recently by Bedford County Board of Education, carries a pretty significant price tag.
The system is planning a phase-in over several years to move graduation requirement credits from 22 to 28. Next school year will involve teachers only, getting them acquainted with a new 4x4 block learning schedule.
First off, the system will have to hire 15 additional teachers for a 4x4 block schedule. Tim Harwell, assistant director of schools, talked to the board and a large crowd during the monthly school board session last month at Harris Middle School.
The additional teachers will be spread across all Bedford County high schools, Harwell said.
“With those positions in mind, there will be an additional $900,000 which will be a reoccurring expense in the annual budget. Also the estimated start up cost would be $600,000, and that would not be reoccurring.”
Harwell explained the state’s new funding formula, which he said would benefit greatly Bedford County—up to $11 million.
“We’re asking that on the start up . . . $1.5 [million] of that would be helping us redesign our high schools.”
How does this benefit students? Harwell explained that to the audience which filled the Harris Middle School Library.
“Each student will participate in a career exploration class. Students will have more opportunities to participate in career technical or college credit classes. Students will be better prepared for post secondary success. And students will have more opportunities to recover credits to graduate.”
Harwell explained how educators benefit from the 4x4 block schedule.
“Each teacher would have up to 90 minutes of planning every day. Teachers would be responsible for fewer students throughout the school day. And teachers would have the students for one semester versus the whole school year.”
Harwell added that some exceptions include AP classes, which would be a full semester of studies. He added that sports such as football, basketball and band would encompass a full year.
