Lakeland schools mull early release plan

RATHDRUM - The Lakeland Joint School District is considering a proposal that would release elementary students 50 minutes earlier on Thursdays next year to allow staff more collaboration time to implement new state standards.

The school board will discuss the proposal at 6 tonight at the district office, 15506 N. Washington St., Rathdrum.

"With the rigor we have in our curriculum, we can't reduce instruction time and expect the same results," said Brad Murray, assistant superintendent.

The time used for collaboration would be spread out over the four other days during the week and would be added to the end of those days. The school start times would remain the same as this year.

Murray said elementary principals believed Thursdays would be best for collaboration due to the school calendar and staff schedules.

Coeur d'Alene has already adjusted its school schedule to allow for more teacher collaboration and Post Falls is considering a proposal.

Lakeland recently sent a letter to parents about its proposal seeking feedback.

The school board is expected to make a decision in June or July.

* In other business, the school board will consider changes to its public comment policy.

Currently, residents wanting to comment must do so as a "visitor presentation," which requires notifying the district in advance of the meeting to be placed on the agenda, or the topic has to be related to an agenda item.

The proposal is to create an open public comment period in which residents can comment on any school-related topic for up to five minutes.

"We're trying to provide a better avenue for comments," Murray said.

The board is expected to decide in June whether to float to voters a plant facility levy in August.

Voters passed a supplemental levy in March that's for $4.95 million per year for two years to support maintenance and operations, but turned down a plant facility proposal for building repairs and equipment that was for $905,000 per year for 10 years.