From todays edition of The Republican-American

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Region 1 board won’t talk about high school schedule

BY RUTH EPSTEIN REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

FALLS VILLAGE — Parents and students in the Region 1 community have many concerns about the proposal to implement a modified 4 x 4 block schedule at Housatonic Valley Regional High School next year and were planning to attend Monday’s meeting of the Region 1 Board of Education to talk about the issue. However, the board has determined it will not place the item on the agenda, thereby barring any discussion.

In a letter sent to parents on Thursday, board Chairwoman Andrea L. Downs said, “We are not doing this to stonewall any kind of discussion, but we feel that it would be premature for us to have this discussion at this time.”

Nearly 200 people came to a parents meeting on Feb. 23 to hear Assistant Superintendent Pamela Vogel (she becomes superintendent in July), Principal Jose Martinez and incoming Assistant Superintendent Lisa Carter explain how the semesters in 2017-18 will be divided into four 80-minute periods in contrast to the current eight periods. These longer periods would allow teachers to spend more time with students to work on subjects.