Adding ninth-graders may not be the only change for Lawrence’s two high schools in the 2011-2012 school year.

A joint Lawrence High and Free State committee recommends moving from a six-period day to a seven-period day at the same time, meaning shorter classes but also more of a variety of courses for students.

“For several years now, there’s been many teachers who thought our students did not have the access they needed to some of our departments,” said Ed West, Free State’s principal.

Under the change, most classes would be 51 minutes. The schedule still allows for block scheduling with longer class periods two days a week, and both schools would still offer a “zero hour” to give students an opportunity to take an additional class.

Board members in April elected to move ninth-graders to the high schools and sixth-graders from elementary schools into middle schools, but the district is taking one year to plan the shift.

High school administrators and teachers are concerned that ninth-graders, when they move to the high schools, would go from taking eight credits to six under the current high school schedule.

Then the students have an opportunity to earn only 24 total credits over four years when the requirement to graduate is 23 credits. West and LHS Principal Matt Brungardt said students who struggle have less leeway.

Although class periods would be shorter, the change would give students chances to take more elective classes, eliminating a choice between foreign language and music, for instance. It’s also expected to give more students access to career and technical education courses.

The LHS faculty overwhelmingly supported the seven-period day, and Free State teachers also approved, although by not as wide of a margin, West said.

The change would require some adjustments because teachers would have less instructional time per class. Most teachers of elective courses are in favor because more students would get access to their courses.

“I would rather have 51 minutes with a kid than not see a kid at all,” said Carolyn Berry, a Free State art teacher.

The schedule change would need to be approved as part of bargaining talks with teachers in the next year because it would affect planning time, for instance.