Scheduling changes proposed for the next school year at Dunkirk High School may impact some extracurricular courses, according to a letter that appears in today’s Sunday OBSERVER.

Dunkirk Teachers Association representatives say the high school is considering reducing the number of class periods by one starting in the fall. That change, union officials note, could affect important courses that shape the future of students.

“This may mean they lose the chance to be a band or chorus member,” the letter says. “This may mean they can no longer take art courses. It may mean technology classes will be limited, thereby putting our students at an immediate disadvantage. Students may lose Jamestown Community College courses, which at the very least would cost them 12 college credits. They may lose the ability to graduate in four years alongside classmates.”

Also at risk, the letter notes, is the highly regarded JROTC program that has received community recognition.

Up until the OBSERVER received the letter late last week, the only public changes discussed in education has been on the elementary level, in which neighborhood Schools 3, 4, 5 and 7 would be reconfigured by grade level with fifth-grade going to the middle school. All these discussions have been heard at city school board meetings.

Plans for the high school, however, have not been made public until this letter.

Dunkirk Superintendent Dr. James Tracy said district officials are considering options for more instructional time for the high school students, but no decision has been made. He also noted that administrators have reached out to the teachers to hear some of their ideas. Teachers say they have reached out to the newspaper to create dialogue in the community. “Each and every child deserves an education that allows for individual needs to be met while affording them an opportunity to develop, grow, and pursue their passions,” the letter states. “Simply put, if administration mandates their proposed changes it will reduce students’ opportunities.”

The complete letter can be found on Page A4.