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31 Ms. Slaughter asked if there is a mechanism for assessing the effectiveness of the alternative school, and also asked for information on alternatives to the alternative school, such as sending students to other schools. Ms. Linda Seaman, School Board member, noted that there may be money available from the General Assembly for regional schools. Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Dr. Shannon said that the clerical staffing at the alternative school is recommended to be increased from part-time to full-time. Mr~ Toscano questioned why an additional $12,000 is being requested for a counselor at the alternative school, and Dr. Shannon said that when the school began there was a community effort that involved Region Ten providing a part-time counselor, whose salary was supplemented by other school funds. Dr. Shannon said that the position is the same, but the funding is different. Mr. Vandever and Mr. Toscano questioned why FICA and other benefits appear high at the alternative school, and Dr. Shannon replied that the increase is due to the recommendation to add a summer program at the school. Mr. Toscano expressed concern that he has never heard about the proposed summer program, noting that the funding for the alternative school is a separate, specific appropriation from Council. Ms. Olivia Boykin, School Board member, said that she understands that the summer program is being recommended in order to maintain contact with students and to provide some continuity. Rev. Edwards recommended that computers at the alternative school be made available on Saturdays and evenings to children who otherwise have no access to computers and to maximize their usage. Responding to a question from Mr. Vandever, Dr. Shannon said that last year's enrollment at the alternative school was 42 students, and there are 49 students currently enrolled. Ms. Slaughter asked about the possibility of funding for an additional four-year old classroom, and Dr. Shannon said that it is not known yet whether additional funding will be available from the state. Dr. Shannon said that a four-year old classroom costs $86,000 per year. Ms. Slaughter said if additional money is available, she would like to see a four-year old class added, even if only for one year. Ms. Slaughter asked if space would be available for an additional classroom. Dr. Shannon said space will be available for an additional four-year old classroom. Dr. Shannon stated that the schools are in danger of losing federal money which funds teachers for the four-year old program, and should this occur, a decision will need to be made about whether to use state and local funds to fund the original four-year old classroom. Ms. Daugherty asked for more information about the proposed foreign language lab. Ms. Arletta Dimberg, School Administration, said that the current foreign language labs are over 20 years old, and a proposal has been submitted for a new state-of-the-art facility, with funding recommended for phase I. Mr. Toscano said that it would be nice to sell the idea of the language lab to a benefactor.