Students at Waynesboro High School may soon be switching to a new schedule. If approved, students would take four, 90 minute classes each day, in what is called a four-by-four schedule.

However, some educators are concerned about how that the schedule will place an even bigger burden on Waynesboro teachers.

"We ask them to do so much, for so long with so little, that if we are looking at asking them to change dramatically how they teach students in that 90-minute block there is going to have to be some additional training," says Karen Olivares of the Virginia Education Association.

According to Olivares, the additional training is needed to keep student's attention which on average lasts only 20 minutes.

However, Principal Tim Teachey has confidence that his teachers are up to the challenge because many of them already teach long classes.

According to Teachey, the biggest obstacle is not the classes. He says it's getting comfortable with the change.

"Part of what teachers are afraid of, I think, is just the unknown. The majority of my folks have never experienced teaching in a four-by-four," says Teachey.

As part of the change, each teacher would take on one additional class, bringing them up to a total of six, with three classes each semester.

"It can be done successfully, but you have to have a lot of specialized training to know how to do it and you have to have the time in your day to plan," says Olivares.

However, Olvares doubts Waynesboro will pay for additional training considering the current budget shortfall.

The Waynesboro School District's budget is short approximately $2 million, which is enough that it could mean teacher layoffs and fewer classes.

The four-by-four schedule would allow the school to keep the same classes, even if it lost teachers.