BOURNE – The Bourne school committee met earlier this month to discuss a possible alternative to the biweekly early release days planned for next year.
Originally approved at the board’s April 3rd meeting, the plan currently would have students dismissed from school one hour early every other Wednesday to allow for professional development.
The plan increases the amount of professional development hours for teachers from 16 to 30 hours.
At the latest meeting, Union President Lauri Gilbert suggested lessening the early release days to once a month.
“I think even if you go down to the one day a month you’ll still be at the same amount of hours for professional development that we had this year”
Superintendent Steven Lamarche explained that because faculty meetings are not included in the 16 hours of professional development this year and are included in the 30 hours of professional development next year the difference is nearly nonexistent.
“The numbers aren’t apples to apples.” Said Larmarche
The superintendent cited the upcoming transition to grade span schools and inevitable issues that will arise as a reason the added professional development time was needed.
When asked why she felt the early releases were harmful Gilbert said,
“We think particularly at the elementary level, middle school perhaps as well, it is really an interruption to students learning when these days are shortened”
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