The Albert Lea school board heard from Albert Lea High School Principal Al Root Monday evening about the changes being planned for the district realignment that will move eighth-graders to the high school.

Root first went over changes to curriculum including new electives that will be offered for eighth- and ninth-graders. He said eighth-graders will have a seven-period schedule and passing times between classes will most likely go to five minutes instead of the six-minute passing time the high school currently has.

Eighth-graders and freshmen will share a “house” of classes, and sophomores, juniors and seniors will also share a “house” of classrooms for core classes. There will be one lunch period for eighth-graders and freshmen and two lunch periods for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Root said they considered having four lunches a day, but that it gets to be too early for students to eat.

“They’d be eating early — like 10:20 a.m.,” Root said.

Root said there will be about 15 to 18 faculty added at the high school. He was also pleased with the attendance at registration night for eighth-graders and freshmen. Currently they’re planning school tours and working on orientation to make the transition smoother for eighth-graders.

“We want to make the students feel welcomed,” Root said.

Eighth-graders will continue to practice sports at Southwest Middle School and will be bused there after school. Root said having more students at the high school will help create more opportunities for all students because of the possible addition of another student council or more school plays. The board will hear a similar update from Southwest Principal Jean Jordan at the next workshop on April 4.

Superintendent Mike Funk gave an update to the board on the many changes the district has been through and will go through since he has worked here.

“There is a lot of change going on,” Funk said.

The district is looking at which teachers need to be moved to other buildings for the realignment. Funk also said administrators are looking into other health insurance options, transportation options and food service management to save the district money.

In other action the board:

• Approved Karen Zwolenski as the new principal at Hawthorne Elementary School.

• Approved a funding application to the Freeborn County United Way for Adult Basic Education child care.

• Approved submitting an application to the Minnesota Department of Education for the first step in upgrading the mechanical systems in the district’s older schools.

• Approved the 2011-12 school year calendar.