Since the announcement of a new principal, students have been concerned about new policy and administrative changes. The five-point-scale, the seven-period-day, and so many other policies that College Park students have adapted to are the subject of rumors and speculation. But what is actually going to change at College Park?
“I believe that 5.0 scale is really good for kids,” MacFarlane said. “I don’t have any plans of changing.”
While the five-point-scale is safe from any changes in the foreseeable future, many other of College Park’s standard policies are subject to change.
College Park is one of the only schools in the district still on a seven-period-schedule. With most schools, especially high schools, being on a block schedule, alternating eight different classes between four periods every day. Conroe High School switched to a block schedule last year, while Knox Junior High is on it for the first time this year.
“As with anything, there are very much pros and cons on a block schedule, on an eight course for a day or seven periods every day,” MacFarlane said. “It’s very convoluted and it needs a lot of input if we, not me, we as a school, as a community are going to consider that process. I see some safety benefits from it, we only transition four times a day instead of seven times a day. You get a longer time with a teacher in that specific class so it provides more time for instructional activity, not just lecture. But there are downsides: you don’t see them every day, if you are sick you miss more time. So there will be a discussion… I’m going to be putting together a committee and we are going to explore, not commit to, but explore it, and see the benefits.”
One of the factors that will affect whether a block schedule is eventually used is school funding. New funding was not approved at the Texas last State Legislature. Because of this, throughout Texas, schools are behind on funds, including College Park.
“The lack of funding means we have to make solutions that will bring class size down even if we are losing teaching allocations,” MacFarlane said. “It’s a big budget, and about 88 percent of that is staffing. We’re a people intensive business, right? It takes a lot of teachers to do what we do here every day – a lot of support staff.”
Yet even though budget cuts are unavoidable in the immediate future, the College Park administration is set on not cutting any programs at all.
“That’s not where we’re going to make our cuts,” MacFarlane said. ”We’re going to squeeze money if we need to. I know our school board is working diligently on plans to make sure we are funded at the highest possible level. So right now, no program cutting at all.”
In fact, MacFarlane has plans to staunchly support all current school activities and involve himself with students and organizations.
“I don’t have the skill set to play an instrument or act,” MacFarlane said. “But I will be at every production that we do, whether it’s band, orchestra or drill, cheer, theater, debate. I love seeing students compete, whether it’s on the athletic side, which is awesome, or in the fine arts side, which is just as awesome and intense, and teaches you all the same skills of dedication and teamwork and perseverance.”
Additionally, Principal MacFarlane is working with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to help provide them with more resources and start off the programs earlier.
“We’re really looking at what other Principles of Classes that we can offer in the CTEs so that we can continue those pathways for students,” MacFarlane said. “Part of that process is working with Knox Junior High to offer those introductory principles classes in eighth grade. Dr. Mosley and I worked hard to make sure we’re getting students a little more time to progress in the higher CET courses here by getting the Principles classes out of the way so we can continue to grow the number of students in our program.”
Yet not everything is bound to change. As we have seen administrators start cracking down more on phone use, our principal seems to be embracing the electronics policy.
“I think it’s actually a good thing, and it is the expectation of our school board. And since I’m a rule follower, we will follow the rules of the cell phone expectations,” MacFarlane said. “I think, in my perception, the cell phone policy is pretty fair. Can’t have it in the classroom, but check your phone in the hall. Check it at lunch, do your things. So I’m committed to maintaining our policy.”
And phone policy isn’t the only thing this new administration is increasingly regulating. As any kid here could tell you, the hallways can be cluttered and crowded, something that Principal MacFarlane hopes to change.
“Coming from a junior high, I’m not going to lie, there’s a lot of kids in the halls,” MacFarlane said. “I think there’s things we can look at. Are one-way halls beneficial to students? I don’t know. We need to maybe explore that.”
Whatever changes the administration will implement, there is no doubt that they will work hard to improve our school.
“We’ve done such an amazing job at this school,” MacFarlane said. “This is an amazing school, an amazing campus, but how can we refine things to make it even better?”
