On Monday Sept. 28, students were told by teachers that the school would be switching to a 4×4 block schedule next fall. A 4×4 block schedule is a schedule in which a student takes four classes in the fall semester and then four different classes in the spring semester. Each class period is 80 to 90 minutes long. 

Without much information from the administration, students, teachers, and parents began to worry about this abrupt change. In lieu of this widespread concern, a series of meetings were conducted for further clarification. 

On Oct. 14, the school board met in the media center of Maury River Middle school to consider the current proposal for a 4×4 block schedule. The meeting consisted of the regular subject matter the school board discusses and then a time for community members to speak to the board, followed by a presentation by Sparks. 

Around ten students spoke during the school board meeting, all expressing their own thoughts on the proposed schedule change. 

Among the students was junior Lucas Secoy, a student who has organized a movement and petition against the proposed schedule.

“We are a group of students arguing against the new 4×4 Block Schedule. As a group we try to represent everyone we can and hear every side. We also attend any event involving discussion of the 4×4 schedule to voice our and other students’ concerns,” Secoy said. “At the school board meeting, four of us spoke out against the new Block Schedule. We believe it went well for us, making some of the school board members at the very least reconsider this schedule.”

After the community members spoke, Sparks gave a presentation to the school board presenting his proposal for the new schedule. The presentation at times brought harsh, vocal feedback from parents in the audience.

The meeting ended with no final conclusion of whether or how a new 4×4 block schedule would be implemented.

On Oct. 20, Sparks hosted an informational meeting open to the community for concerned parents and students in the Rockbridge County High School auditorium. The first part of the meeting consisted of a presentation given by Sparks, followed by time for parents and students to ask questions.

  During the presentation, Sparks explained the reasoning behind the shift in schedule structure.

“We want to incorporate movement and projects and collaborative ideas. That’s part of the reason we’re trying to structure it this way so they can do things differently. And the classroom structure will look differently.” Sparks said.

Community members were given the opportunity to ask questions for around 45 minutes, and although the atmosphere of the meeting was calmer, students like sophomore Sarah Edgar did not feel their questions were really answered.

“I went to the meeting with hopes that we would get more specific answers on implementation, so I was very disappointed when the audience received platitudes instead of informative responses. Overall, the administration has remained too vague about the steps and targets to ease my skepticism about the proposal,” Edgar said.

Through the meetings, students and parents learned that the administration has the goal of carrying out the new schedule in the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. Sparks claims that the schedule is to reduce stress in “teachers and students.” Along with that, advanced placement classes will continue to run on a year-long schedule, and a flex period will be required for all students. 

In response to feedback from parents and students, Sparks tried to reassure the community that the plan is a work in progress.

“I know there’s uncertainty around that because you can’t physically see what a schedule may look like. But I can assure you, that we are working through those things and just as we’re progressing.” Sparks said.

Other than this, there are very few specific answers. Both meetings ended with a low morale among parents and students. Without concrete answers, it would be safe to assume additional meetings will occur in the future. 

Gallery • 10 Photos

Junior Lucas Secoy speaks to the school board