Meeting Preview: Muskego School District to Review Middle School Program, Course Proposals

The Muskego-Norway School Board will meet Monday night to review the middle school program, which may extend class times, as well as new course proposals for the 2012-2013 school year related to the electives associated with it.

A middle school review team spent about 11 months and presented their proposal to the board in November. The longer classes were seen as a way to help teachers, particularly in science, complete study units.  The proposal also would update electives selection, make the school day 10 minutes longer and start language or music in sixth grade, which is a year earlier than now. A 25-minute intervention/enrichment period is also part of the plan, which could be used to address special needs or allow students to explore new educational territory.

The plan could start as early as next fall, but new electives would have to be  implemented in fall of 2013.

The board will hold its regular meeting at the beginning at 7:30pm. December 19, the board will begin its school appearances as it convenes at

Superintendent Joe Schroeder said he thought the plan could help the middle schools "move from good to great," but others on the board were more cautious, citing concerns over whether the longer class periods could hold students' attention, and if longer meant larger. In addition, staffing for the new electives was a point that board members wanted to explore further.