Huron High Students Press Efforts For Schedule Shift

Approximately 50 Hurón High students presented arguments and petitions last night in an attempt to persuade the Ann Arbor Board of Education to reverse the attendance times at Ann Arbor High School next semester. It appears they were unsuccessful, for School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. said he "regretfully" recommends no change in the doublé shift second semester. Huron High Student Council president Paul Parravano told The News this morning, however, that his school's campaign to obtain a switch in shifts is far from over. Parravano said he intends to cali each school board member personally and ask that the matter be put on the agenda next week for action. He said a Student Council poll of all 1,400 Hurón students regarding a switch in shifts also will be conducted tomorrow. An investigation of alleged administrative difficulties in switching shifts likewise will be launched by a number of Huron students, Parravano said. "Even if we don't get a change, we think the school board should realize the situation they've put the Huron students in,'' Parravano explained. "We feel the Pioneer students have a distinct advantage." During this fall semester, Pioneer students attend classes from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while Huron pupils go to school from 1 to 6 p.m. I n December, Westerman announced the same doublé shift will continue next semester because of further delays in opening Huron High School. This announcement apparently caused much resentment and disappointment among Huron High students and parents, and an informal campaign to change the decisión was initiated. Most Huron students believe the "fair" thing to do would be to switch shifts next term, and allow them to attend classes in the morning. The Huron students presented [the board last night with 700 student signatures petitioning f or a change in attendance times next semester. Parravano, Huron senior class president Ralph Thompson and Huron student Jane Bartman vvere spokesmen for the student group. The Huron students cited the difficulties of finding jobs on their shift, scheduling extracurricular activities, and remaining attentive in class in the late afternoon. Thompson said the attitude of many Huron students toward their afternoon shift is one of "bitterness" and "deep disappointment." A student in the audience commented that morale at Hurón High is extremely low. "There is practically no school spirit whatsoever," he conr mented. One father of a Hurón student pleaded for a switch because, he said, it is "the only fair thing to do." Another Huron student said the changes don't necessarily have to begin in February, as long as changes are forthcoming. "The Huron students would vvelcome a switch now or in the middle of May," he declared. One Pioneer student, teacher, and parent spoke, asking that the schedules remain unchanged next semester. The Pion eer student said both schools were "suffering" under the doublé shift, not only neer. Westerman told the audience, "We're not happy with this circumstance at all. We regret it." But he said a number of "practical realities" forced him to make the decisión that the shifts be left unchanged next term. These "practical realities," according to Westerman, include the facts that if the shifts were switched : - A re-scheduling of the entire school bus program would have to take place. Huron High students would have to be picked up at 5:45 a.m., he said, if a change were made; - Many teachers' and student teachers' schedules would have to be changed; - Both high-school principáis would have to rework their entire "master schedules." Westerman said these and other administrative difficulties, which he conceded were not insurmountable, would take 4 to 6 weeks to overeóme. The superintendent added the warning that this "unfortunate" doublé shift situation will undoubtedly be repeated in a few years if the voters do nut support a probable bond issue this fall to finance a third senior high school. Parravano said he agreed with this appraisal, and hopes the Huron students' problemsl will give the community "foodl for thought."