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10o <br /> <br /> Mr. John Pezzoli, Chairman of the School Board, stated <br />that the decision by Albemarle County to discontinue joint <br />participation in the Alternative Education Program has <br />precipitated a study by the City Schools of the program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ron Hutchinson, Director of Secondary Education, <br />stated that a planning committee has met and will continue to <br />meet to take an in-depth look at Alternative Education, make <br />recommendations regarding services, look at research and <br />existing programs throughout the State as well as available <br />community resources, and formulate a philosophy regarding <br />alternative education. Mr. Hutchinson stated that <br />recommendations will be made regarding short-term and long- <br />term objectives for the program, taking into consideration <br />the limited resources available. Mr. Hutchinson stated that <br />the committee would also review local student needs as well <br />as needs of their parents and possible ways to interface <br />alternative education with vocational education. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Buck about the average <br />profile of an alternative education student, Mr. Hutchinson <br />stated that there appear to be three basic categories of <br />students: 1) children disenchanted with education who may <br />experience home problems, have a history of poor school <br />attendance, and a general disregard for school rules, but are <br />not "bad kids;" 2) children who exhibit more disruptive <br />behavior and require separation from normal classrooms; and <br />3) children who share characteristics of one and two. Mr. <br />Hutchinson stated that many students need remedial education, <br />some are bright, college material, and most appear to need a <br />focus in their lives. Mr. Hutchinson stated that some of the <br />present alternative education students could be assimilated <br />into the high school setting, with extra counseling offered, <br />some would probably benefit from Adult Education, and some <br />could not be served in the high school setting. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck questioned the impact of integrating <br />Alternative Education students into the regular high school <br />classroom and recommended that a regular high school teacher <br />be added to the committee studying Alternative Education to <br />provide a different perspective. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Hingeley, School Board member, stated that <br />funding for the Alternative Education Program in FY 88-89 <br />contains the'equivalent of three full-time teachers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe questioned whether the Schools should set aside <br />part of the amount recommended for teacher salary increases <br />in the FY 88-89 budget in case additional funding is needed <br />for the Alternative Education Program. <br /> <br /> Dr. Cibbarelli replied that while it is possible that <br />more funds could be used for the Alternative Education <br />Program, the Schools have made a commitment to the teachers <br />regarding their salary increases and he would recommend <br />against setting aside a portion of the recommended increase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Dunbar, Director of Administrative Support <br />Services, reviewed the School's capital projects. Mr. Dunbar <br />stated that renovations at Clark are on schedule, Venable is <br />still in the planning stage, the new addition at Buford is <br />underway, and renovations at Walker will begin as soon as <br />school ends in June. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Towe regarding the <br />Superintendent's salary for FY 88-89, Mr. Pezzoli replied <br />that the School Board will make that decision in May. <br /> <br /> '~meeting <br />T~r~ccidc~---------- <br /> <br />was <br /> <br />adJ ourned~~ <br /> <br /> <br />