Bayside Middle School Schedule May Be Adjusted

Some Fox Point-Bayside School Board members have come out against proposed schedule changes at Bayside Middle School that would reduce art, general music, technology and physical education classes in favor of more time for math and one-on-one mentoring.

The board has spent the last several weeks debating the scheduling changes, which school officials say would give students the math skills to succeed on a new state test that will replace the WKCE next school year. Currently Fox Point-Bayside currently offers 43 minutes per day of math, which is less than what the Department of Public Instruction recommends. 

The district would also add a 30-minute "flex period" to address the government-mandated Response to Intervention program that provides one-on-one assistance to struggling students.

Two of the new classes – a math class and a humanities/problem-solving class – have not been fully developed, and the clock is ticking for the School Board to decide whether to move forward with those classes.

Change on the horizon?

School Board member Mike Weidner said the district should restore the existing schedule for art, music and physical education classes; add the additional math course if it’s practical; keep the language arts block where practical; and hold off on a new "STEM" course that incorporates arts, humanities and problem-solving skills.

Weidner also said all students and teachers should be part of the flex advisory time, not just struggling students. 

School board member Alice Lawton agreed with Weidner's proposals, and added that teachers who are skilled in a specific subject should teach that subject, and teachers who have developed classes should teach those classes.

The School Board did not take action at its Tuesday night meeting, but will revisit the discussion at a Curriculum Instruction and Policy Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 30.

Proposed cuts to 'specials'

The district's administration originally proposed limiting fifth-and sixth-grade physical education by a half day per week. Art, general music and technology would be offered each quarter, five days a week, instead of throughout the year, twice a week.  

Fifth- and sixth-grade band and orchestra would be combined, though they will meet twice a week all year, instead of once. Seventh- and eighth-grade general music will be cut to make time for an additional math class, and students will be encouraged to join choral, band or orchestra. Choir time would be increased to three days a week, instead of two days.

Teacher staffing

Teachers and parents voiced their concerns with the board's decision to lay off sixth-grade math teacher Susan Haferkorn and two part-time teachers. As a result of the staffing reductions, some teachers would be required to teach across different grade levels.

Eighth grade science teacher Tania Waller said this change is detrimental to grade level teaching teams, which are currently able to talk with each other about their students' needs.

"We feel this is really important for middle school children because it gives our school a family," Waller said of the grade level teaching teams. "When our kids come in, they get five moms and dads. Those people - our teams - are committed to your kids throughout the year."

The staff reductions came as a response to budget and levy limitations, which could only be lifted if the community approves a referendum. Nicolet science teacher and football coach David Quam said a referendum may be necessary to help the board return to previous staffing levels.

"If we don't do that, they're going to be out of money to do what we want," Quam said. "We have got to put our money where our mouth is."