Parents unhappy about proposed high school schedule

Increased drop out rates, decreased student motivation and worries about less family time are some readers' concerns about the proposed Moses Lake High School schedule.

A total of 24 people commented on the Columbia Basin Herald's Facebook page about the proposal. One reader said she would home school her kids online instead, and another reader claimed the proposal was a control tactic to get a new high school built. (A $115 million construction bond to build a new high school and two elementary schools failed in 2013).

The Moses Lake School Board votes next Thursday, Jan. 23 to extend the school day from 7 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. to alleviate overcrowding at the high school, according to a recent Columbia Basin Herald article. Lengthening the schedule decreases the number of students in the building by about 20 percent because students are attending tutoring sessions before and after school, Superintendent Michelle Price said in a Herald interview.

It is understandable why parents are concerned about their kids' school schedules. Already many families are extremely busy, juggling their family, work, school, church and social calendars. Some parents simply cannot change their work schedules and could miss out on seeing their kids during their time off work. There are several worries being expressed by parents, but we hope the situation works itself out for the best or another idea is proposed.

But some readers are pointing out the benefits of an extended schedule.

A reader mentioned a changed schedule would allow students to work before school and even suggested youth take advantage of the Running Start program at Big Bend Community College. Running Start allows high school students to earn college credit while in high school, giving them an advantage when they start college full time.

Another reader suggested people continue to offer ideas to the school board if they want a change (and yet another reader praised the board for "some of the best problem solving" he had seen from them). He pointed out parents who had conflicting work situations with the current schedule may see the new proposal as more accommodating.

One reader wrote Moses Lake "freaks out bad when the school wants to make a change before thinking carefully about the realities and reacting rationally."

We think a calm and rational approach would be the best course of action, on everyone's part.

- Editorial Board