In anticipation of big changes in the Austin school district next year, Principal Brandi Hosack decided to change the bell schedule at Akins this year, drawing a range of reactions from students and teachers.

Student complaints have mostly centered on the shortening of the lunches and passing periods.

“I personally don’t like how the schedule is set up now,” junior Jackie Marsh said. “We get less time during the passing period. That affects me and those who have portables that need to make it into the building in time.”

Many students feel the same way about this new schedule change, because of to lunch time being cut.

“Yes, the new schedule is not right. It gives us less time during passing periods, and our lunches have been shortened,” junior Inez Mandujano said.

While some students don’t like the new schedule, others have grown to like it. The new schedule provides a 25 minute Advisory and Flexible Instruction Time period on each day of the week instead of the two days of advisory classes that students had last year.

“This new FIT thing is really great. I like how we can sign up for classes that we are failing and make it up. I would like to stay on this schedule than what last year was,” senior Angel Villegas said.

SEL teacher Anthony Bromberg said he thinks the benefits of FIT helps the students out because it gives them more time to finish up or get help on their work.

“I like this schedule. We benefit with FIT to complete work during (the school day) without interference during school hours,” Bromberg said.

The decision to go to the new bell schedule was also influenced by a district initiative that will provide students at Austin high schools the chance to take career and technology courses at other nearby campuses next year.

Principal Brandi Hosack said she knows that students are not happy with the new bell schedule, but she is standing by her decision.

“I know that they’re not happy, and I know that they look at me and they’re like you made this rule, and I’m happy to take the criticism … as a principal I will never make arbitrary rules just to make your life difficult,” Hosack said. “If I make some sort of a policy I promise you I have some sort of rational behind it. You might not agree with it. This policy is there to make us successful, because the whole goal is take school seriously and not fail your classes.”