District needs input on high school plans

Maybe cold weather has kept people home. Perhaps it’s the perception that district officials already have their minds made up, and the public input sessions are just for show. It could be a reflection of general apathy in the community. Or maybe people are still trying to figure out what the complicated proposals really mean.

All of the options would change the structure of the high schools to be based on "small learning communities," with at least some instruction based on "professional pathways," or courses that tie into career tracks. Examples of career fields that could be explored include energy, biomedical and technology.

The committee’s preferred plan would feature three high schools with full athletics and visual and performing arts programs. There would be small learning communities that would teach core subjects in four "houses" — one for ninth grade and three for grades 10-12. Each house would include several professional pathways, but those tracks wouldn’t be duplicated among the schools unless there was overwhelming interest by students.

Full Story: http://trib.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_b493023d-d17d-5170-b1d0-85f0142c59e7.html