D-205's 'Wasted' Wednesdays A Problem: Officials

ELMHURST, IL — Whether York High School students are back in class or not, their Wednesdays are always remote.

That day, no time is set aside for classes. The day is designed to let teachers give more help to students who need it.

But school board member Courtenae Trautmann said she sees it as a "wasted" day for students. District administrators seemed to agree.

During Monday's school board meeting, Trautmann said she would like to see York High School follow the example of local middle schools: Add class time to Wednesdays, though shorter periods than other days.

Trautmann said she understood the idea behind the plan for Wednesdays, but she said more structure would help.

"I think we have wasted two months of noninstruction at the high school level, and I don't understand why we keep working on it," she said.

Assistant Superintendent Scott Grens said Wednesdays were a "work in progress" and that the district was anticipating a "holistic revamping" for the second semester.

Trautmann said she wanted more urgency.

"You know I love you, Dr. Grens, but this is what we've heard for the last two months: We're working on it," she said. "I feel like that there are great meetings. Everyone acknowledged it needs to change and it needs to be structured. But you pivoted mid-term for middle school and gave some instructional minutes on Wednesday. I'm frustrated that cannot happen now (for the high school). Why can't we pivot now?"

Grens said the district heard objections to the pivot at the middle schools and that the district needs to ensure there is a balance. As it is, he said, 70 percent of students were using Wednesdays as intended.

Superintendent Dave Moyer agreed a problem existed with Wednesdays. The district, he said, is aware of the urgency to make changes.

"I personally don't think we're going to have to wait two, three or four months before we see positive movement. It's important that we do more than acknowledge the problem," he said.

Board member Jim Collins had a personal take on the issue.

"My kid must be in the 30 percent minority," he said. "I don't see a lot going on on Wednesdays, except for the afternoons when she fills out a college application occasionally."

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