School board members simply discussed the issue during an April 30 work session. They did now, however, address the issue again during Tuesday night’s regular meeting.
The Alternative Education program, according to officials, “is designed to meet the needs of at-risk students who are not succeeding in the traditional setting.”
The issue regarding the revamping of the program was first presented under the committee report during the school board work session, with Nancy Dillman, director of instructional programs, providing the information.
According to Dillman, several officials are disappointed with the alternative program; therefore, to alleviate the problem, it was suggested to move the entire program to the Sampson Middle School campus.
“(We want to) get the kids back on track. We are in the planning period to see what we can do to save some of these kids and get a diploma in their hands,” a hopeful Dillman expressed to the board.
She added, “We know we can make it a true Alternative School.”
Because alternative program types can include alternative classrooms, separate alternative schools and second or last-chance schools for disruptive students, in order to become a “true” alternative school, officials suggested transforming the existing program into a school-within-a-school program, where the alternative program would rest within SMS.
Superintendent Dr. Gene Hales shared, “We’re trying to look at reasons why we are losing kids and base the program on meeting their needs.”
“We are hoping that by moving it onto the Sampson Middle School campus the teachers will be more assessable,” Dillman voiced as another positive aspect to revamping the program.
Dillman also pitched that because the middle school and high school are located on the same campus, then the high school students, when ready, can walk to classes on the main campus.
During a discussion, board member Diane Viser questioned, “Is the goal to keep them in alternative school? I thought the goal was to get them out.”
“If we send them over there (alternative program) for six weeks and expect them to go back to school and be right on track that isn’t going to happen,” Dillman responded.
“Are there disciplinary problems?” board member E.R.Mason also asked.
“Yes, some make bad choices,” Dillman answered.
“This year it look like there are more females involved with the alternative program,” Hales added.
“What are you going to implement to cut down on disciplinary problems?” Mason further questioned, to which Dillman and Terrace Miller, director of special programs, responded that the Alternative program is a “last stage;” meaning if they ca not correct the problem in the program, the problem will continue to spiral downward.
“We have some kids with some serious mental issues,” Miller told the board, adding that in compliance with the law they are not able to deal with some of the students’ “issues.”
“How young are the youngest?” Viser questioned. Hales answered that the youngest were in sixth grade.
Because an alternative program requires a small student base, Dillman explained that with the program serving roughly 25-30 students, moving it to SMS will allow the students to spread out, which “should” help with disciplinary and other at-risk concerns.
During the BOE regular meeting again Dillman approached the board with the changes, however, no motion was made or voted on because, she said, she was just making the board aware.
Jessica Wagner can be contacted at 910-592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@myclintonnc.com
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