WHS enrollment is projected to increase by 58 students, for a total of 1285, starting September 2008. Under the current scheduling system, an additional five classrooms will be necessary next year to deliver the educational program without increasing class size; a total of 15 additional classrooms will be needed by 2014.

To remediate this, a proposal to add modular classrooms to the High School is under consideration. However, there is great concern about placement prior to a definitive decision on site requirements for the High School Building Project -- it would not be prudent to install modular classrooms where they would impede construction progress.

As an alternative to the modular classrooms, the WPS administration is assessing other short term alternatives including the impact of a schedule change. The schedule change would center on the opening of "Block 1" to core classes, instead of the current model: Currently, Block 1 (7:30 - 8:30am) is for courses which otherwise present scheduling conflicts to a majority of students or faculty, including science labs, band, chorus, IEP faculty team/parent meetings, and MCAS preparation. This structure enable Blocks 2 - 6 to maximize room utilization (currently >90%) and maximize student participation in the Block 1 "conflict classes."

The WPS Administration is currently reviewing the proposed schedule change in more detail to determine the ture impact on utilization and on student access to courses, in addition to quantifying all other associated impact. Though the initial sense is that such a schedule change will be problematic and highly disruptive, an assessment is warranted.

School Committee will receive input from the High School Project architects (SMMA) on modular placement and design on September 25. They are expected to make a decision by October 9. Funding for modular classrooms requires Town Meeting approval and therefore, if approved by School Committee, would be presented at the Special Town Meeting starting November 6.