Although no official OK was given by the school board, Lake Orion High School teachers will conduct a different version of the seminar class this fall.
LOHS Assistant Principal Chris Bell was told by school board president Leann Bartley on Aug. 11 to inform the teachers of changes made to the proposal that was given to board members earlier this summer.
‘It’s the result of several meetings. It meets the needs of the school board and has teacher approval,? Bell said.
The seminar will be scheduled every other week on Thursdays as an extended period (50 minutes). The period will rotate throughout each term.
According to Bell, this will still provide a time to schedule speakers, college, military and employment representatives and other education functions without doing much disturbing of the school day.
Students will have a chance during this extra time to leave the classroom to meet with teachers or attend scheduled events providing they have signed up for these events or meetings beforehand.
As in the past, the extended period is to be used by the teacher as a tutorial period. New information or assignments will be not be given out during this period.
Teacher Mike Bendle, who told school board members at a meeting in July the seminar class should be eliminated, wasn’t entirely happy with the compromise.
‘I support the compromise plan, but I still believe seminar should be eliminated altogether.,? he said.
He believes seminar has little value. He said not many students take advantage of what seminar has to offer.
Bendle is happy that educational minutes have been restored. (The class used to take place one hour each week.). ‘But it’s still not good for tutoring. Non-traditional (events) can be done at other times.?