Davenport high schools will stay on a block schedule for at least one more year. That was Superintendent Art Tate's recommendation at last night's board meeting, and members went along with it.
Dr. Tate says switching from a block to a traditional class schedule could save money. But the idea was extremely unpopular.
Enrollment in Davenport schools has been declining, and he says state funding is, too. At the same time, the district's reserves must be replenished.
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When the Davenport School Board starts discussing the budget again next year, the superintendent says the schedule change will still be on the table for the following year. The block schedule requires 23 more jobs compared to a traditional schedule, or an estimated $1.1 million more per year.
And Dr. Tate's plan is to cut $3.5 to 4.5 million over the next three years.