Moses Lake principal opposes trimesters

Change would limit skills center curriculum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School Principal Dave Balcom recommended at a school board meeting Thursday the high school retain its semester system.

The high school was considering a switch from semesters to trimesters starting in 2008.

"This recommendation does not come without a lot of careful thought and emotion, but it's a recommendation I feel I must make," Balcom said.

In December, Balcom said switching to a trimester system could open the door to more time in core classes, flexible scheduling, student advocacy time and staff collaboration time.

"Collaboration is still possible to be done within and across departments," Balcom said Thursday. "Upon the request of staff wishing to collaborate, a plan for training, protocols and implementation can be designed to meet the needs of those interested."

Student advocacy time is planned to debut in fall, where seniors can participate in Chief Time. The time would allow students to possibly meet with administrators for the first 30 minutes of second period to receive help on their portfolio and presentation of their senior project. The rest of the school might operate as normal or engage in sustained silent reading.

Balcom mentioned the possible construction of a skills center in Grant County as influencing his decision to keep the semester system in place. The state legislature is deciding whether to fund the skills center, which would provide high school juniors and seniors training in high-demand fields determined by students, educators, community members and businesses.

Project Coordinator for the study Gene Sharratt said he hopes classes can start as early as September.

"As I reviewed the information on the trimester plan and its impact on electives and vocational programs, it did not make sense to pursue legislative dollars for a skills center … and then move to a system that will limit the depth and breadth of the curriculum taught at the (possible) skills center," Balcom said.

He suggested adding an early release day May 22 for faculty to work on the action plans corresponding to the school's identified goals.

Board member Vicki Groff said she respects Balcom's recommendation.

"I know it's been extremely difficult for your staff to pull together around this, and I admire your leadership, I admire your willingness to reflect," Groff said.

She said she felt saddened by the decision but acknowledged Balcom's request to move forward.