Monessen schools changing class scheduling process

Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte said no decisions have been made to eliminate staff.

The Monessen City School District released a statement Friday addressing changes being made to the class scheduling process at the middle school and high school.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte said the district is currently right-sizing the middle school and high school class schedules using a bottom-up approach.

“This process begins with student course requests, interests, and needs,” Motte said. “From there, we are building the schedule and adding classes as needed to ensure students have access to meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.”

Motte also stated that the district had made no decisions to eliminate staff positions.

“Our intent is not to reduce personnel, but to ensure we are aligning our resources in a way that best serves students,” Motte added.

Motte stated that the district is also deciding whether some existing courses could be adjusted or reimagined to add new classes that students might be more interested in. Motte also said that they’re looking to add opportunities that would allow students to utilize the district’s newly renovated and modernized learning spaces.

On an additional Facebook post, Motte stated that the district is not eliminating advanced or upper-level classes. Motte added that their scheduling process involves building around the core classes all students must take, and from there, they add advanced and upper-level courses based on student needs and enrollment.

Motte said if an advanced course has limited enrollment, students will still have access to classes through PennWest, Westmoreland County Community College, Seton Hill and other institutions.

“This is about ensuring our course offerings reflect students’ current needs and interests, rather than simply offering the same classes year after year without reflection,” he said.

Motte’s statement said that the new process is a trial run for district officials, allowing them to make adjustments before anything is finalized.

“In order to truly understand how a schedule functions, students must be placed into a draft schedule,” he said. “This allows us to see where additional sections or new offerings may be needed.

“Unfortunately, a miscommunication occurred, which led to confusion and concern. It was never our intent to upset anyone. Our sole purpose is to explore ways to improve educational opportunities while remaining responsible and transparent.”