Photo: Lavallee Brensinger Architects
By Kendra Williams
After months of listening to students, staff and parents, the Sanford School Committee on Monday voted to return to a four-block semester schedule at Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center.
The change from the current five-block schedule will begin during the 2026-27 school year. There will be some exceptions: Advanced placement classes, band, chorus, gym, health and some electives will meet every other day for the full year rather than for one semester.
A committee had been meeting since last spring to study the pros and cons of the two systems. Many teachers and other staff members expressed concerns about the five-block schedule, which gives students a chance to take more classes but means they are in class for shorter periods. SRTC Director Matt Petermann said last week that the hands-on training his program provides requires extra set-up time and that teachers can run out of time during shorter class periods. Principal Tracy Gibson noted that the five-block setup results in many juniors and seniors arriving late or leaving early, sending the wrong message to underclassmen.
Others, including many students, noted that with more periods in the day, students have had the option to take more electives like band and chorus. Band Director Hailey Francoeur expressed concern that a four-block schedule would limit student participation in the arts and other electives. The schedule agreed upon by the committee is intended to best meet the needs of students in all classes and programs.
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