Bloom 206 Superintendent Talks Schedule Changes, Staff Cuts and Teacher Morale

Updated Jan. 10 at 7:25 a.m.

Last week, informed staff That possibility became a reality at Monday's meeting when it was approved by all present board members.

At the meeting, Acting Supt. Lenell Navarre said there's plenty of evidence that the district should be moving away from block scheduling.

"This is a process we've been working on for over a year," Navarre said. "Take a look at the test scores. Take a look at the dropout rate. Block scheduling doesn't work."

Navarre went on to argue that students should have math and language arts classes everyday as opposed to every other day, an issue he said the new schedule will solve. 

The acting superintendent will be revisiting the scheduling changes in the coming months to determine the specifics but said math, science and language arts requirements will not be affected.

As for physical education, that's a different story. 

It is likely physical education requirements will be lowered from four years to three. The board supported applying for a physical education waiver with the State of Illinois for the 2012-2013 school year. Students would also go from having six classes per day to five under the new schedule.

The superintendent said many of the changes are geared at getting freshmen off on the right foot.

"We looked at our freshmen failure rate," Navarre said. "As (students) move into their sophomore year, they're not sophomores."

Measuring Success

Despite the struggles to meet state standards, Bloom administrators and board members were quick to highlight the district's successes.

Board member Robert Rossi and Navarre both noted that students enter Bloom at a about a sixth grade reading level on average, but leave at a tenth grade level on average.

"The staff at District 206, I thank you, because I know you're bringing students up a minimum of four levels," Rossi said.

"But we're not measured that way," Navarre responded, referring to No Child Left Behind standards of adequate yearly progress.

Bloom's 20 percent mobility rate was also noted, as Navarre pointed out how easy it is for a dropout to be added the district's figures.

"A student can go to Bloom Trail, transfer to Rich East, go back to Bloom Trail, then back to Rich East and that student will be counted as a dropout," Navarre said.

State of the Staff

Staff morale previously came into question as the possibility of Bloom cutting as many as 15 teaching jobs became a reality last Friday. Asked about low morale, Navarre said it was expected but would be addressed.

"Anytime you have changes, you get concerns," Navarre said. "But as long as there is clear and concise communication from within, those concerns can be addressed."