The Manitowoc Public School District wants to create a plan before possibly dissolving the virtual K-8 program at McKinley Academy.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jamie McCall presented four new options to the board last night (November 28th) after the McKinley School Board voted against not ending the virtual program by the end of the semester.
“Modify the charter contract, you have to have a mutual agreement,” she explained. “The second one is you could dissolve the charter in total. Number three, you could enter into a revised charter agreement for an alternative high school if you choose to. And number four you could plan for and operate an alternative high school program under MPSD that doesn’t require a charter agreement.”
McKinley is considered a charter school, which is why they have input although they get resources from MPSD.
School Board President Stacey Soeldner says the school needs an overhaul and a new direction to help the 28 students who are enrolled in the program.
She says she would prefer that there is no charter agreement but maybe bring in a virtual option as a part of MPSD program.
“I think we have the resources within our own district to provide for these students without having a separate charter,” Soeldner noted.
Board Member Matthew Phipps asked the board to dissolve the program by the end of the school year, but his motion was voted down 4-3 for a second time.
However, another motion made by Soeldner was approved unanimously and asked the MPSD Administration to figure out the future of the 28 students, whether it’s redoing the virtual program at McKinley or having the kids enroll in another school district altogether.
The issue was brought up by Jamie McCall at the scheduled monthly board meeting because the program is costing the district a lot of money and not meeting Wisconsin Department of Instruction standards.
