Post by title1parent on Jul 21, 2009 5:30:21 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=308246&src=76
Dist. 203 has a plan to help those on verge of expulsion
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 7/21/09
Naperville Unit District 203 is considering offering an additional alternative program for high school students in danger of being expelled.
However, some board members have concerns about the current proposal before them.
The board had previously asked the administration to look into programs to help students having behavioral or emotional problems. The district currently uses several alternative programs but each has its limitations as to the numbers and types of students they can handle. Meanwhile, the number of students being expelled in the last two years has tripled, according to Kitty Murphy, assistant superintendent for student services and special education.
"Despite the high quality programs and successful programs we have in Naperville, we do still have children who are still left behind," Murphy said.
The district is considering a three-year contract with Abraxas in Woodridge for a program that would target students at risk of being expelled, those with multiple suspensions, significant truancy and those who have been unsuccessful in other settings.
It would include 20 special education students and 30 "alternative learning" students who may or may not be special education students. All students in the program would be from District 203.
The program would include a full day of instruction using the District 203 curriculum. It would also include positive behavioral intervention, community service, art therapy, physical education, aggression replacement training. Drug/alcohol and family counseling services would also be available.
The program is designed to help students transition back into their regular schools, which isn't the case with some other alternative programs, according to Murphy. She said it would provide students with the skills they need to graduate and be successful.
The contract before the board is a three-year deal with Abraxas for $492,858 a year. The district has federal funds with restricted uses that can be put toward the program in addition to regional funds.
But board Vice President Jackie Romberg was concerned about not having had enough time to review the proposal before Monday's meeting.
Board member Dave Weeks also questioned whether the $1.5 million in the Abraxas contract could be used to help more than 20 or 30 students and wanted to hear more options.
"I understand we have a responsibility to every child but we also have a responsibility to most of the kids," he said. "We can't ignore them in favor of a single population, in my opinion, and I just haven't heard any alternatives."
Board member Suzyn Price said incoming students have more diverse needs than ever before and the district needs to help them.
"We have an opportunity to serve children whether it's 20 children or 40 children or 60 children or 3,000 children," she said. "We have an opportunity to serve children in a program that could reform their lives, transform their lives."
After an hour and a half discussion about the program the board tabled it until a special meeting on July 30.
Dist. 203 has a plan to help those on verge of expulsion
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald 7/21/09
Naperville Unit District 203 is considering offering an additional alternative program for high school students in danger of being expelled.
However, some board members have concerns about the current proposal before them.
The board had previously asked the administration to look into programs to help students having behavioral or emotional problems. The district currently uses several alternative programs but each has its limitations as to the numbers and types of students they can handle. Meanwhile, the number of students being expelled in the last two years has tripled, according to Kitty Murphy, assistant superintendent for student services and special education.
"Despite the high quality programs and successful programs we have in Naperville, we do still have children who are still left behind," Murphy said.
The district is considering a three-year contract with Abraxas in Woodridge for a program that would target students at risk of being expelled, those with multiple suspensions, significant truancy and those who have been unsuccessful in other settings.
It would include 20 special education students and 30 "alternative learning" students who may or may not be special education students. All students in the program would be from District 203.
The program would include a full day of instruction using the District 203 curriculum. It would also include positive behavioral intervention, community service, art therapy, physical education, aggression replacement training. Drug/alcohol and family counseling services would also be available.
The program is designed to help students transition back into their regular schools, which isn't the case with some other alternative programs, according to Murphy. She said it would provide students with the skills they need to graduate and be successful.
The contract before the board is a three-year deal with Abraxas for $492,858 a year. The district has federal funds with restricted uses that can be put toward the program in addition to regional funds.
But board Vice President Jackie Romberg was concerned about not having had enough time to review the proposal before Monday's meeting.
Board member Dave Weeks also questioned whether the $1.5 million in the Abraxas contract could be used to help more than 20 or 30 students and wanted to hear more options.
"I understand we have a responsibility to every child but we also have a responsibility to most of the kids," he said. "We can't ignore them in favor of a single population, in my opinion, and I just haven't heard any alternatives."
Board member Suzyn Price said incoming students have more diverse needs than ever before and the district needs to help them.
"We have an opportunity to serve children whether it's 20 children or 40 children or 60 children or 3,000 children," she said. "We have an opportunity to serve children in a program that could reform their lives, transform their lives."
After an hour and a half discussion about the program the board tabled it until a special meeting on July 30.