Bibb County school Superintendent Romain Dallemand is backing off two of the proposals in his strategic plan that have drawn fire in recent weeks.

In an e-mail sent to deputy superintendents, principals and other school officials Wednesday night, Dallemand said he will offer another option to school board members that would maintain the system’s current grade configurations.

Dallemand also said that a proposed extended-day school schedule will no longer be mandatory for all students.

Dallemand is scheduled to hear from the public again Thursday night about his “Macon Miracle” plan during a  forum at Southwest High School. No date has been set for a board vote on his plan to overhaul the school system.

In his e-mail, Dallemand said that as school district leaders have met with parents in the past week, they have frequently heard concerns about the safety of their children.

Although Dallemand said he thinks his proposed grade reconfigurations -- pre-K through third grade, fourth through seventh grade and eighth through 12th grade -- would provide benefits in reading and math proficiency and contribute to an increased graduation rate in time, he said many parents now equate the proposed change in grade clusters with a decrease in safety.

“As a result, I have decided to provide the School Board with a second option which will maintain the current grade level configuration (i.e., K-5, 6-8, and 9-12) and implement the provisions to address safety and improve student discipline,” Dallemand said in his message. “Once safety measures and ‘wrap around services’ have been fully implemented, I believe we will realize decreases in negative student behavior.”

Dallemand isn’t giving up on the reconfigured grade clusters, however. He said he wants to form a task force by 2014 “to provide the community with time to further discuss the potential benefits of changing our current grade configuration. This adjustment to the plan will mean that the district will no longer realize the previously stated savings.”

As for Dallemand’s proposed extended school day -- 10 additional hours a week -- he said in his note that the proposal will not be required for all students.

“Although I continue to believe that additional learning time has the potential to have significant positive benefit for our students, parents have expressed the desire to have the additional learning time as an option rather than as a mandatory requirement,” the message said. “As Superintendent, I will continue to encourage students, parents and district and building leadership to utilize the expanded opportunities for learning that will be available through After School Programs and community partnerships. However, the ‘extended day schedule … with a minimum of 10 additional hours a week’ will no longer be required for all students.”

To contact writer Oby Brown, call 744-4396.