HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1267436
was the only County spending less. Dr. Nantz mentioned that the
average spent was about 36 cents per sq. ft. This does not include
Mecklenburg which spends $1.10.
Long said the expansion budget was important. There seemed to
be much pressure from teachers and the community for an alternative
school. He mentioned that all children were entitled to an
education.
Dr. Register said a task force was developed last summer to
study alternative schools. A model has been developed and the
school system recommends much staffing. He would like to have one-
time start up money. Other sources of income would be sought in
the future.
Commissioner Stewart asked the age group for the school, and
Dr. Register said middle school (6th) through high school (12th).
The enrolled maximum would be 75, but initially they would start
with 48 students.
McCall said that numerous projects across the United States
showed that with the right resources students of these schools can
become productive. "We can't dump the kids in a school without
proper resources. We would just have a junior penal system without
resources."
Chairman Haire asked Dr. Register if he would make the
alternative school a cooperative effort with Mooresville. Register
said maybe. He said that since the boundary had been resolved that
he hoped to work more with the Mooresville system in the future.
(The two school systems have the same type of computer system.)
Dr. Register acknowledged that he had not been a proponent of
alternative schools in the past. Primarily because he was afraid
it would take money away from the regular program. Now, there
maybe some federal/state money, and he feels it is the right time
to start a school of this type.
Godfrey Williams mentioned that some parents would like to
have the disruptive kids out of the classroom so their kids could
have a better chance for an education.
Commissioner Madison asked about the five percent that the
General Assembly was reviewing for teachers. If this amount is
lowered to three percent how much would go to the system. Dr.
Register said between $80,000-90,000. Mr. Madison commented that
the alternative school could just about be implemented with this
amount of money.
Commissioner Madison said the removal of 48 students in a
system as large as Iredell-Statesville would not eliminate many
problems. Skip McCall said that the disruptive kids influence
other kids to act out.
Commissioner Madison asked if the system had investigated the
possibility of contracting out for this type of service. Dr.
Register said he had talked to Sylvan Learning Center. He
mentioned it was difficult to find a good model program for
disruptive kids.
Long mentioned that in the past few days (since passage of
school bond), he had received many inquiries as to why the air
conditioning couldn't be speeded up. He asked if the school system
could borrow the money and repay later.
Dr. Register said he and his staff were trying to shorten the
time line to have this type of work done. This, along with a
presentation on building projects, will be addressed at the next
school board meeting (June 3, 1996).