Discussion continued from the January school board meeting about late start Fridays at Mariposa County High School, as well as seniors being dismissed earlier in the year than other grade levels.
“This item was brought forward last month (February) but because of the changing of the schedule (due to weather), we brought it back as a public hearing this month,” said Superintendent Jeff Aranguena at the March 12 meeting.
For several years, MCHS has started the school day at 9 a.m. on Fridays.
The late start is intended to give teachers time for professional development and department collaboration.
Having the extra time provides an opportunity for students to participate in clubs, tutoring services, makeup school work, meet with school staff and counselors and receive support in areas where needed.
It’s been common knowledge that each year, seniors have typically been dismissed for the school year earlier than other grade levels with the option to remain in school until the end of the traditional year.
This process was originally designed to decrease attendance issues and conflicts for multiple senior activities which happen during the last couple weeks of school.
This time has also allowed school staff to provide targeted support for seniors at risk of not graduating.
After the school board meeting this past January, the district sought input about these two topics by way of parent surveys, teacher surveys, staff surveys, community surveys, student surveys, listening sessions and also through school board meetings.
Parent feedback
The district had 44 parents respond to the survey with about 64 percent who agreed, or strongly agreed late start Fridays are important.
About 23 percent stated that late start Fridays sometimes or always causes a hardship for their families.
About 23 percent stated that they would not like to continue with late start Fridays and 80 percent felt neutral, agreed or strongly agreed that seniors should be released earlier in the school year than the rest of the grade levels.
Student feedback
About 238 responses were received from students.
Out of the 238 responses, 100 percent agreed or strongly agreed that late start Fridays are beneficial.
There were no students who felt that late start Fridays should not continue while four students said maybe and 234 said yes to late start Fridays continuing.
There were two students who felt seniors should not be released earlier in the school year while five students were unsure and 231 either agreed, strongly agreed or were neutral.
Feedback from teachers and staff
About 20 teachers and staff responded to the survey.
While 90 percent felt late start Friday is beneficial or neutral, about 95 percent said they would like late start Fridays to continue or continue with modifications.
About 95 percent felt it is appropriate or felt neutral about seniors ending school earlier than other grade levels.
During the public hearing, there were no public comments.
This item is set to come back with final revisions during the school board meeting on April 16 and final approval will be sought during the school board meeting on May 14.
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