Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412210100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Franklin and a half-dozen other teachers lost their jobs in the shake-up of the alternative education program last summer.
Some are working on factory assembly lines until they can find better jobs. One is a substitute teacher.
"They have taken what they could find," Franklin said.
In the meantime, school administrators say that, under its new leadership, the revamped alternative education program has become more effective.
School officials recently sponsored a breakfast ceremony to honor a dozen alternative education students who made the honor roll.
"It is working smoothly. The staff is doing a good job," said Ann Harman, the school system's executive for student services and programs.
The alternative education program was overhauled after a consultant's report cited mismanagement, inadequate record keeping and the use of unlicensed teachers.
The alternative education program is designed to help students with academic and behavioral problems.
Despite warnings from several teachers who lost their jobs, Harman said that no students dropped out of the alternative program because of the administrative and staff changes. The enrollment has risen since last year.
Michael McIntosh, who was named administrator of the program last summer, said 191 students are enrolled: 102 high school students; 27 middle-schoolers; and 62 in the drop-in academy, who need only a few credits to graduate.
McIntosh, who formerly supervised an alternative education program in Danville, said the administrative duties in Roanoke have been heavier than he expected.
"There have been some rough spots, but it's doing OK," McIntosh said. "We are running pretty smoothly overall."
All of the teachers in the alternative education program now are licensed and teaching the courses they are licensed to teach.
The program will be moved from Addison Middle School to Valley Court, a former shopping center, in February to provide better quarters and improve its image.
The School Board has awarded a $342,000 contract for renovation of the space in Valley Court, at Interstate 581 and Hershberger Road, to create classrooms, laboratories and other facilities. The school system has applied for a federal grant to help pay for the renovations and equipment.
Superintendent Wayne Harris said the new alternative education center will be a skill-based, technology-driven program with clear academic and behavioral standards to help prepare students for jobs or college.
The program will be held to the same administrative, financial and academic standards as other schools, Harris said.
by CNB