Charles Skidmore, principal of Arlington High School, sent the following update March 31 to parents and guardians, titled "AHS: important information about scheduling and the program of studies":

"At the last School Committee meeting [March 28], the SC voted to add approximately $200,000 back to the elementary, middle, and high school budgets to be used for classroom teacher positions. This increase has given us enough staff to run our traditional seven-period, yearlong schedule at all grades rather than the proposed block schedule or hybrid schedule that I have been sharing with parents and guardians at PAC and School Council meetings.

"The added positions do not mean that all teachers have been restored, and the reduced staffing at the high school has many ramifications, not the least of which is increased student numbers in all classes and fewer electives for students. We will, however, make every effort, despite the reduced funding in next year’s budget, to maintain the comprehensive curriculum we have offered over the past several years and continue to provide AHS students with a strong high school education. 

"I want to thank the AHS Scheduling Committee and the many parents and guardians who came to meetings or emailed me suggestions and concerns about the budget and scheduling issues. Many ideas came out of those talks that I think will be important in coming years as 21st century learning supplants some of our traditional pedagogy.

"If your children are juniors and seniors, you will see that their course selection sheets offer them many opportunities beyond the traditional classroom to earn graduation credits and to access curriculum through hands-on internships or distance learning.

"Now that we have the schedule question decided, it is time to start working on student course selection for next year. Your children will receive their course selection sheets tomorrow [April 1] in homeroom and will start seeing teachers about their recommendations for next year's classes as soon as tomorrow and guidance counselors next week to begin discussing their course selections for next year.

"The course selection sheets and the 2010-2011 Program of Studies are online at the high school and district Web site, so you can review them over the upcoming days. We will not be printing hard copies of the Program of Studies this year as a cost-saving measure — the printing for all students costs approximately $1,500.00. We will have hard copies in the House Offices and at the Guidance Office for students who do not have Internet access at home.

"Thank you for your patience in this long budgeting and scheduling process. I will keep you apprised of any changes or issues that arise as we move forward with scheduling and staffing for next year."