Freehold Intermediate School Administrators, Staff Redesign Schedule

Freehold Borough School District officials and (FIS) administrators overhauled the middle school schedule after staff and parents voiced concerns about issues with class size, inconsistent instructional time, and scheduling conflicts.

FIS Acting Principal Joseph Jerabek discussed the schedule changes at the Freehold Borough Board of Education's regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 12. The adjusted will be implemented by Monday, Sept. 19.

The scheduling challenge arose after the , said Board of Education member Michael Lichardi. Jerabek, who serves as principal of Park Avenue Elementary, was tapped to serve as at the board’s Aug. 29 meeting.

“The schedule that was left in place was not sufficient and Mr. Jerabek had to take the bull by the horns and straighten it out. He had no problem doing that,” Superintendent Elizabeth O’Connell said. “We had so many volunteers and such support from the staff and the parents. It really is a testament to him.”

The new schedule consists of 50-minute instructional periods for math, science and social studies and a 100-minute block for language arts classes, according to Jerabek. In addition, the revised schedule will reduce the highest class sizes, some of which numbered in the mid- to upper-30s, he said. Parents of FIS students received a letter from Jerabek on Wednesday, Sept. 13 informing them of the pending changes.

Lichardi noted that the scheduling problem resulted from the unique challenge of the shift in FIS administration and future issues were not anticipated.

 “Parents can be assured that this is not going to be an annual event,” Lichardi said.

Freehold Borough Education Association President Linda McCarthy credited the board and administration with redesigning the schedule rather than attempting to work around the current one.

“The fact that so many staff were involved (in the schedule redesign) is going to show a lot of ownership, and we’re very pleased and hopeful that this is going to be a great start,” McCarthy said.