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Environmental charter school plans continue to move forward
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| By: Rachel Westberg |
January 28, 2009 |
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Roselawn’s former secretary, Darla Colvard, left, was presented with a personalized clock from Superintendant Al Brown, right, on behalf of the district.
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Chetek Middle School science instructor Mike Steiner continues to move forward on his proposed environmental charter school, updating the school board on its progress during Monday night's school board meeting.
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In May, Steiner addressed the school board with a proposal for an environmental charter school and an application for a planning grant to begin piecing the school together. Charter schools provide extra choices for students and have certain freedoms not under the constraints of state mandates. On the flip side, they are held more accountable for the success of their students.
The proposed charter school would be for area students in grades seven and eight, with curriculum emphasizing earth systems. It would integrate all academic areas into the environmental projects.
Steiner submitted an application for a planning grant in June, but found out in September that he did not receive the grant because there was not enough time to gather community input before the application deadline. Steiner then put together an advisory group that will help in the planning stages of the school. The group consists of Steiner, middle school Principal Bryan Yenter, Joe Bognar, Rick Jacob and Jedd Beach, all of Chetek. Students Weston LeMoine and Levi Marquardt are also involved in the group.
Since September the state has revised the application process. The new deadline, instead of being in June, is April 15. The grant is on a three-year cycle, with the first year being a half-planning/half-implementation stage. The last two years are implementation years. There could be approximately $575,000 available in grant money over those first three years.
Steiner added that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is now looking at how the school would be sustained in years four and five, once the grant money is no longer given.
The board would still need to approve the go-ahead to apply for the planning grant. Steiner told the board that they would need, in writing, to express their approval to form a charter school. He hoped to have that done during the March meeting, and asked that the board submit any concerns and questions to him prior to that so he could address them at upcoming board meetings. The board cited several questions, including how the school would be managed, legalities, its curriculum, facility space and staffing issues. To have these questions answered, board member Ken Jost suggested having workshop meetings.
Steiner invited the board to an informational meeting Feb. 16. Details of that meeting will be forthcoming.
SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT
Linda Zeman, the district's director of special education, delivered a report on the special education department. She noted that the prevalence rate for special education students has declined for a second year, and she anticipates their rates to be below the state average. She cited the response to intervention model of instruction they've been using as the key reason behind declining special education rates.
RtI, as it is known, is a method if identifying students with special needs. The program delivers high-quality, intensely monitored instruction to students struggling in a particular subject area (usually reading), but who often do not qualify for special education services.
Zeman also noted that part of RtI's success lies in the fact that the district has moved away from taking students out of the classroom to receive help and ensuring teachers and students have the support they need right in the classroom. Many classes at the elementary level are taught with both a general education instructor and a special education teacher, and having co-taught classes has been beneficial for students.
According to Zeman, the successes the department has had with RtI has prompted the district to get calls from other organizations and schools for advice. Some of the staff has also been asked to speak at various conferences and their work is being recognized by other districts.
OTHER NEWS
Darla Colvard was recognized by the school board for more than 20 years of service to the district. Colvard retired Dec. 31 as Roselawn's secretary. Steve Ohde has since taken over the position.
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©The Chetek Alert 2009
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