SOUTH POINT - Several students and parents were disappointed Thursday evening because proposed changes to high school students’ schedules for the 2004-05 were not discussed.

The special session was set in order to meet with the Ohio School Facilities Commission and to discuss the upcoming schedule change.

During the board’s April 5 regular session, honors student Rachel Bentley presented a petition to board members opposing possible changes.

&uot;I feel that we hire administrators to make decisions like that," school board president Terry Blake said in a previous statement, "I don’t have an opinion either way, but I think what we will end up with will be satisfying to everybody.&uot;

The blocked schedule in use now consists of four, required, one-and-one-half hour class periods daily. The proposed change could expand to seven, 45-minute daily classes.

&uot;By changing the schedule next year,

they will be penalizing the seniors who want to take more classes to prepare for college and have planned their scheduling of classes over the past three years,&uot; parent Terri Koukos said.

Freshman Carrie Chinn said the schedule now is the first time she has ever been able to bring home straight A’s.

&uot;Last year in middle school we had seven periods. I was failing English and I was struggling to maintain a C- to D average in math and science,&uot; she said. &uot;I put this (grade change) all in thanks of the four-block-a-day schedule … having seven classes a day is overwhelming. Homework frustrates me as it is and too much homework is a mental burdon,&uot; she added.

Middle school students currently participate in a seven-period schedule. Sixth-grader Kayla Taylor said the schedule is not enough time for her to get to her locker or go to the restroom.

A current junior provided a written statement, &uot;Blocks are better on the students and for those involved in extracurricular activities. Our scores are fine and we have set the precedence for some other schools in the country. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.&uot;

The petition started by Bentley, a sophomore, also addressed what she felt was important

school faculty issues, such as less classtime teaching, less classtime preparation planning and additional stress on guidance staff due to reconfiguring the upcoming school year classes.

Proposed scheduling changes were not discussed at the meeting. Any possible changes

will be handled by high school administrators, according to Blake and board member Fred Clay.