Since returning to school from the COVID quarantine, LHHS has used a block schedule, but that won’t be the case for the 2026-2027 school year. 

At a recent RISD board meeting, superintendent Tabitha Branum discussed proposed adjustments to manage budget reductions as a result of lower enrollment rates and addition of several positions in transportation and security not funded by the state.

One such proposal was to move away from the block schedule and implement a traditional 7-period school day for high school. Not only will this be a new experience for a majority of current students, but it will have repercussions on how some classes operate.

Courses that are currently double blocked, such as athletics, will be reduced to a single class period. This may mean students involved in these courses will need to come outside of school hours to cover lost time.

“We believe in our fine arts and our athletic staff that they continue to do great things, to produce great programs that will have great outcomes,” Branum assured the community during the board meeting.

Branum cited these changes as an effort to reduce spending.

“Shifting back to a traditional schedule helps the district address budget gaps, reducing expenditures by $11 million,” she explained in a recent email from the district.

In that email, Branum also added that counselors will be working with students to adjust their course selections.

More details about the finalized schedules will be presented at the upcoming board meeting on April 23.