JAY — The plan for a delayed start Wednesdays at both Spruce Mountain High School campuses has been modified to have one less day and less classroom time missed.

Regional School Unit 73 directors voted this month to approve 13 delayed-start Wednesdays at the high schools so teachers from both campuses can work together.

The number of days has been reduced to 12 due to student testing scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 12. The amount of class time in each subject missed has been reduced to 12 minutes instead of the initial 17 minutes each month, high school North Campus Principal Gilbert “Specs” Eaton told the school board Thursday night. The class time will be 65 minutes instead of 77 minutes on late-start days.

The Spruce Mountain High School Leadership Team requested the delayed-start days to allow all teachers and staff time to work on developing plans, strategies and collegial teaching relationships. The purpose is to form the foundation for a consolidated high school focused on improved students’ learning, achievement and attainment, Eaton said.

The late-start Wednesdays are: Oct. 5; Nov. 2 and 9; Dec. 7; Jan. 4 and 11; Feb. 1; March 7 and 14; April 4; and May 2 and 9.

On those days buses will run on a normal schedule. Students do not have to be in school until 8:50 a.m., Eaton said. However, if students need to ride the bus or want to arrive at the regular starting time, then there will be supervised activities, including tutoring for students.

Staff at both high schools will work together during the workshop mornings to support the schoolwide goals that include: assuring everyone is respected; achieving a 10 percent-plus improvement on SAT test scores; and improving the graduation rate to 88 percent-plus.

According to information provided at the board meeting, the combined graduation rate of both schools for 2010-11 was 84 percent.

Districtwide staff workshops are scheduled for: Thursday, Oct. 6, (early-release day); Friday, Oct. 7, (no students); Thursday, March 22, (early-release day), and Friday, March 23, (no students); and Wednesday, May 16, (early-release day).

[email protected]