GEORGE Washington High School teachers and several student representatives expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the policy passed by the Guam Education Board on the adoption of the so-called “4 by 4” block schedule yesterday morning.

During a 7 a.m. meeting yesterday, GWHS teachers convened at the school library to discuss the impending implementation of the new schedule. Although the intent of the meeting was to start a dialogue between the teachers and the board, only GEB Chairman Francis Santos showed up.

The GEB recently approved the implementation of the schedule for the next school year. GW is currently implementing the “3 by 3” block, where classes are scheduled every other day and total instruction time per class is 100 minutes. With the “4 by 4,” instruction time decreases to 85 minutes to accommodate remedial classes.

A key issue shared by the teachers who voiced their concern to Santos was the lack of true consultation in the process of developing and implementing the policy.

Mike Clement, one of several teachers who openly spoke out in the meeting, stressed the importance of stakeholder involvement. “All of the elements of the policy should have been discussed first before a decision was made,” he said.

Clement further suggested that the board make the consultation process customary in the future.

Concerns about the board and administration not communicating with the teachers were also raised during the meeting. One attendee lamented, “A lot of the good teachers left the school because they were not being heard.”

Back to basics

The intent of the proposed schedule was to improve student skills in core performance areas such as Mathematics and English. Several teachers, including Francine Clement, questioned the viability of this intent.

“How will the proposed schedule raise student achievement?” Clement questioned.

Instead, she is proposing for the board to “go back to the basics” instead of focusing on implementing the new block schedule next year.

According to Clement, there are more pressing problems that affect student morale and performance, including the school’s air conditioning problems and the need to fix facilities and acquire more computers.

Social studies teacher Lisa Mosher said “there is so much frustration going on with the parents and students.” Her students, in particular, felt that the additional classes would affect hours allotted for sports, school clubs, service learning, and other non-academic, but essential, school activities.

Additional hour

Guam Federation of Teachers President Matt Rector sent a letter addressed to the GDOE which was posted in the GFT newsletter last week. In the letter, Rector questioned the additional hour that will be added to the daily schedule of teachers as a result of the adoption of the policy.

He said the proposed policy changes did not agree with conditions earlier agreed to by both parties. He also said “bargaining has not been exhausted,” which makes the directive not in compliance with the regulations set in the Public Employee Management Relations Act.

In another email posted in the website, GFT Vice President Tim Fedenko claimed victory over the proposal to change teachers’ working hours.

Santos confirmed their office received a flurry of calls from concerned individuals who heard about the implementation of the new bell schedule.

When asked if the board will also talk to the parents and the rest of the student body about the new schedule, Santos said he needs to meet with management first before this could be done.

Santos also said he won’t be able to speak on behalf of the board but will make sure that the concerns of the group are relayed to the other board members.

In addition, Santos said he will take up the concerns expressed by the teachers and present it to the management. He added he is not opposed to trying something different and will initiate discussion among the board to revisit the policy.