The Springfield School Board on Tuesday approved plans to open a small college preparatory academy next fall, after concluding that it’s worth the extra $120,000 to run the program.
Some board members described the decision as a leap of faith. The vote took place during a meeting at which 154 contractual employees were released from their jobs and one board member proposed looking at more ways to trim next year’s budget.
The Capital College Preparatory Academy, a partnership between the Springfield School District and the Springfield Urban League, would enroll only 100 sixth-graders next year, but is designed to grow gradually to include students through 12th grade. Students would follow an extended school day, attend Saturday sessions, wear dress clothes and take all-male and all-female classes.
The cost of the program’s first year will be about $120,000, including $20,000 carried over from the current budget. While the program would become more expensive as grades are added, district officials said they are pursuing corporate donations they hope will keep the district’s financial obligations low.
Overcoming questions about the academy’s financial impact, board members said the program, designed to prepare at-risk students for success in college, fills an urgent need. The board voted unanimously to open the academy pending approval of a contract with the Urban League. (The 6 to 0 vote did not include Cindy Tate, who was absent.)
Board member Bill Looby described it as a “crucial endeavor.”
“In my mind, this is a program that is desperately needed,” said board president Art Moore.
The school is scheduled to open next fall at Feitshans Academy, 1101 S. 15th St.
The board also discussed whether more budget cuts are needed beyond the $5.3 million recently proposed by School Superintendent Walter Milton for next school year. Milton, who is in Washington, D.C., was not at the meeting.
“We need to consider other ways to cut this budget,” said Cheryl Wise. Looby requested the job descriptions of non-classroom teachers and central-office administrators and school officials who are not assigned to a single school.
The release of the 154 contractual employees – including 85 certified staff members – is a routine action taken every year by the district on employees serving one-year contracts. District personnel director Alexander Ikejiaku said the employees will be offered “first dibs” on new job openings.
Pete Sherman can be reached at 788-1539.
Read the original article from The State Journal-Register.
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