Schools will dismiss early on Wednesday afternoons next year for weekly teacher meetings.

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The North Platte school board ended three months of debate Tuesday, voting unanimously to make the change, 6-0.

The regular meetings will replace the “fly by” day-long inservice meetings currently held once a month or so, said curriculum director Kate Murphy, where “someone comes in to give a presentation, wows us and leaves, and we’re left wondering what exactly do we do with this information.”

School Board President Jim Paloucek said the program will not take away teacher-student time, will not cost the district more money, and the district will do all it can to soften the impact on parents and families.

“This will restructure the time we have,” Paloucek said. “I believe it will be a better use. We’ll do what we’re doing, only better.”

Two residents addressed the board.

Stacy Slater, a parent who once told Engle to look at similar programs in Texas that seem less disruptive of classroom time, questioned the accountability of the new program.

“How will you measure how successful the program is after year one, two or three?” Slater asked.

Slater asked if reading and math scores would be expected to improve.

Engle said yes, among a lot of other things, including how students are engaged in the classrooms and writing samples.

“There are lots of indicators, including a set of measurable outcomes,” he said. “We are not short of goals.”

Slater said that paraprofessionals (teacher aides) should be included in professional development, but Engle said the district would probably have to deploy them elsewhere.

Previously Engle has said teacher aides would help monitor students during the early-out hours as part of an expanded after-school Kids Klub program.

Slater said he fully supports professional development, but does not agree this is the best program.

North Platte parent and school board candidate Kenneth Millard questioned the impact of early out Wednesdays on special education students. He has a special needs son at the high school.

The high school is in the beginning stages of how that might work, special education director Kim Cooper told him.

After the meeting, Millard said he has repeatedly asked the same question and still not received an answer, which is one reason he has filed for a seat on the school board.

In an opening statement, Murphy said the early out/teacher meetings will enhance the powerful dedication of the North Platte community to education.

“No matter our disagreements, each of us wants a powerful learning experience for our kids, every single one of them, every single day,” she said.

She said family concerns would be at the forefront of considerations

“No one wants professional development at the expense of our families,” she said.

Three months of debate

A late-start once a week for teacher meetings was first proposed in late November, but a decision was postponed at school board meetings since, in the face of a host of concerns from parents and teachers and daycare providers.

In January, officials decided it would be better to shoot for Wednesday afternoons for the program.

Beginning in late August 2010, classes will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Kids Klub staff and teacher will supervise elementary students in the school buildings, Engle has said.

The North Platte Recreation Center staff may offer physical education programs, including intramural leagues and games, at Adams Middle School for middle students. Buses could bring students from Madison Middle School to Adams.

No plans have been revealed for the high school.

NPEA to bargain another year

In other action Tuesday, the board unanimously accepted the North Platte Education Association as the official bargaining agent for teachers in salary negotiations.