VB proposes longer school days

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Beach School Board heard a new proposal Wednesday to, among many things, extend high school days by 15 minutes. 

According to Jennifer McCarrel with Virginia Beach City Public Schools the proposal was created following new state-mandated high school graduation requirements and "provide increased opportunities for credit recovery."

Additionally, the 15 extra minutes would allow students taking advanced classes more time for lunch because their current schedules leave little room for breaks.

McCarrel says the following are elements of the proposed schedule starting school year 2013-2014:

• The addition of 15 minutes to the high school students' daily schedule (7:20 a.m.-2:10 p.m.);
• The new schedule includes a small number of classes that would be on a 4x4 (semester schedule). These courses are the ones that are usually “road blocks” to on-time graduation such as Algebra I, Earth Science, English 11 and 12.
• No time added to the elementary and middle schools, however adjusted start and dismissal times to accommodate a new transportation schedule for high schools (elementary “A” 8:10 a.m.-2:40 p.m.; elementary “B” 8:40 a.m.-3:10 p.m.; middle schools 9:20 a.m.-3:50 p.m.);
• High school students taking six to eight classes with a daily lunch block;
• The addition of select 4x4 courses for credit recovery;
• Increased opportunities for high school students to take electives or earn certifications

The proposal can be found online.

A public hearing on the alternate schedule will be held Nov. 20 at a school board meeting starting at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Beach School Administration building. If you're interested in speaking, contact clerk of the board at 757-263-1016.

The school board is expected to vote on the changes Dec. 4.