This fall, Octorara High School students in need of alternative education, and those with disciplinary problems, will have a local educational choice.
The Octorara district is opening its own alternative education program, an addition which should, according to Superintendent Tom Newcome, save the school district approximately $100,000 in tuition monies previously paid to the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
Newcome said Monday, Aug. 10, eight students have already been enrolled in the after-school program, to run from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays.
The superintendent has tapped Brian Dikun, currently a fourth grade teacher at Octorara Elementary School, to run the program with the help of classroom assistants.
The school board plans to hire him Monday, Aug. 17, to be part-time Octorara Intermediate School assistant principal and part-time alternative education program director at a salary of $72,715.
Newcome said the program will be offered to students previously sent to the IU’s Center for Alternative Secondary Education or Chester County High School. Both have required transportation to Downingtown.
He said Monday alternative education has cost the district half a million dollars. While not every alternative education student may be a fit for the new program, taking over the program should save at least $100,000 during the 2009-10 school year.
Two other cost savings measures enacted when the school district’s $44 million budget was passed are causing a local stir. About 20 people attended Monday’s school board meeting and heard representatives from the Octorara YMCA and coaching and parent volunteers voice their concerns.
The school board included a $35 student activity fee in the budget, an item which should bring in $19,700 in revenue. While the school board originally included all activities, including band and chorus, Newcome has since limited the policy to students grades 7-12 participating in athletics, since music students receive credit for their work. There is a $45 annual cap on fees a student must pay, regardless of the number of sports.
The school board also anticipates receiving an additional $20,000 in revenue from facilities rental fees, when its policy committee finishes drafting a policy governing facilities rental revenue.
Neither policy has been popular with a group of vocal parents attending recent school board meetings.
“It sounds like we reached for the low-hanging fruit,” said Rob Wishneski, an Octorara YMCA board member. “What’s the social impact? The social impact can outweigh the $40,000 coming in.”
Wishneski presented the school board with a letter from the YMCA’s board of directors indicating rental fees would be a serious financial hardship to the YMCA.
The letter characterizes the YMCA board as “disappointed and concerned,” and asks that the school board consider creative solutions with minimal financial impact.
“Without the school district a lot of our programs couldn’t exist,” said Brian Wenzka, Octorara YMCA director. ”It ‘s in our complete interest to allow that to continue.”
Board members have been divided on both issues, the activity fee and rental fees.
Board member Sam Ganow said he disagreed with the term “low-hanging fruit,” saying board members and administrators had to cut the budget at all levels.
Board member Lisa Bowman said there are programs in place to help low-income families. Those who qualify for a free lunch may confidentially apply to the athletic director, Jim Weagley, for a waiver.
The policy committee will discuss rental fees for community groups at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, in the intermediate school faculty room. The regular school board meeting follows at 7:30 p.m. in the school library.