Bartholomew Consolidated high school sophomores will have a new class schedule format by the time they become seniors.

The school board approved the new block scheduling format last night. Where students today have the same eight classes each school day, under block scheduling classes will be twice as long, and there will be half as many classes each day. Classes would repeat every other day under the new schedule.

The change would take effect in the 2020-2021 school year, meaning this year’s juniors and seniors will never take part in the block scheduling format.

Board member Pat Bryant voted against the proposal, saying that he had hoped to hear from the teachers who will be affected by the change and have to carry it out. Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts said that teachers did take part in the various committee meetings and discussions before the decision reached the school board level.