To enable more training for teachers, Colina Middle School may start classes earlier
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Colina Middle School students may begin their day slightly earlier next year.

The Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education is considering adding five minutes to the school day to allow teachers more time during the year to collaborate on what is and isn’t working in the classroom.

In a process called "banking," the five additional minutes will accumulate during the school year, yielding 900 minutes or seven additional minimum days that can be used for staff development.

Colina Principal Mike Waters said such time may include training, first aid and CPR, and roundtable discussions of curricula.

Math teachers, for example, would share with one another the problems and successes they’re having with a particular lesson or concept.

The state used to allow time for such collaboration, but eliminated it a while ago after facing budget restraints.

Superintendent Robert Fraisse said providing time for teachers to work together is important in a profession that tends to be isolating.

"When teachers are allowed time to get together and collaborate, they do a much better job with kids," he said.

Fraisse said that although time banking is common in elementary schools, it’s rare in middle schools because some parents think the time won’t be used appropriately. Fraisse said the fact that Colina parents have supported the plan shows their confidence in Waters and the teachers.

"I think it’s a compliment to Colina they’re working so well with parents and staff," Fraisse said.

Currently, the school day at Colina starts at 9:05 a.m. If the board approves the proposal in the coming weeks, the start time will move to 9 a.m. in the 2005-06 school year.

Meantime, the district accepted an offer to sell 10 acres of undeveloped surplus land to Cal State Northridge (CSUN).

The district declared the property, located in the Tierra Rejada Valley in Thousand Oaks, as surplus last year and put it up for sale. Two offers came in, one from a nursery, the other from CSUN. Since the law requires school districts to look at offers from public agencies before considering those from private parties, the bid from CSUN was opened first. It was unnecessary to open the other bid after an acceptable deal was negotiated with the university.