Thomas Dale may offer second shift
By Donna C. Gregory ASSISTANT EDITOR
Students at Thomas Dale High School could soon have the option of sleeping in late on school days if the Chesterfield School Board follows through on a plan to offer a second shift of classes there.

Trammell

Bermuda representative Marshall Trammell Jr. proposed the idea as a way to deal with overcrowding at Thomas Dale during a school board work session last week. The school is currently 500 students, or 25 percent, over capacity.

Now, administrators are tasked with determining if a second shift is doable. It would initially be offered at Thomas Dale as a pilot project.

"Looking at where we're going, I'd like to see if there are things we can do differently," said Trammell.

The initial concept is that the second shift would be a scaled down version of the regular school day, offering fewer extra- curricular activities and class choices, but allowing students to start their school day shortly after lunchtime or even later.

"I don't think it needs to be a replica of day school," observed Midlothian representative Jim Schroeder.

One of the payoffs for students would be the ability to sleep in or even work a day job before reporting for class. Students would volunteer to attend the program.

Schroeder

"I do think there's a population who will want to do it," said Chairman Tom Doland, who represents the Matoaca District. "Depending on what they are trying to achieve in school, there may be some incentives to going in the evening. I think it would give kids another option to take a look at."

Trammell and Schroeder asked about the possibility of launching the new program this fall.

"As long as we don't have to implement it next week," joked Superintendent Marcus Newsome.

However, a fall launch may not allow enough time for research and development.

"The board meeting was the first time this concept was brought up," said Tim Bullis, the school system's assistant director of community relations, after the meeting. "We're going to have to look at it and see what we can accommodate,"

A committee is being formed to study the issue since a second shift would impact nearly every aspect of operations, from transportation and personnel to school maintenance and food service.

A second shift is not unheard of though. School systems in Fairfax County and Las Vegas have operated similar programs in the past to help alleviate crowded classrooms within their districts.

"We owe it everyone to look at it, be open-minded and then weigh the pros and cons," said Doland.