Homer Central School District Superintendent Thomas Turck outlined schedule modifications Tuesday to the school board that would give students more time with teachers, and increase safety when it’s time to go home because students will clearly know where to go when walking to their buses.
“This will allow us to increase instructional time,” Turck said of the adjusted schedule, which will dismiss students about a half-hour later than in the 2023-24 academic year. Last year, dismissal ranged from 2:30 p.m. at the high school to 3:45 p.m. at the intermediate school.
Several board members said it would be important to outline the changes to the public, in part because not all schools would follow the same schedule. Board President Aaron Bouwens suggested a presentation be made to the public in late September or early October.
But not everyone loved the idea of longer days. About 10 people were at the meeting, but none spoke.
“I don’t know if we need more instructional time,” board member Kevin Mack said. “What’s the day going to look like for the kids?” He jokingly wondered if the district would need to offer “free and reduced supper” because of the length of the school day.
The board also heard that work on school buildings is entering the home stretch.
Laird Updike, representing Le Chase Construction Service LLC of Rochester, said window replacement at the junior high school is 99% complete. Renovation of six bathrooms is due to be finished the week of Aug. 23, library work is targeted for Aug. 28 and work on the nurses’ suite for Aug. 30.
Also, replacement of a softball field is scheduled Aug. 26, but delays at the supplier in Kentucky meant the scoreboard’s arrival has been delayed. The press box isn’t slated to be shipped until the week of Aug. 26.
“We might have to go back to medieval times and have a portable scoreboard,” Turck said.
Also Tuesday, the board:
