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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EV Board Approves Alternative High School

East Valley’s alternative high school proposal passed unanimously at the district’s board meeting Wednesday night despite considerable concerns about the program’s future.

Only 15 students have committed to the program and scheduling does not seem to be as flexible as initially planned.

Despite the problems, board members and district administrators have thrown their support beyond the program, hoping to attract dropouts back to school.

“We’re going to go for it and see what happens,” said Superintendent Chuck Stocker.

Three teachers presenting the program to EV’s school board Wednesday night passed out a proposal displaying a school day schedule which begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:10 p.m.

That bothered Stocker, whose support for the program hinges on its promoters promise that it will be individually tailored to meet each student’s needs.

“This looks to me like a traditional high school seat-time schedule,” Stocker said.

Assistant principal Ray Stookey agreed with Stocker that scheduling is a problem. He suggested adding a fourth time block at the end of the school day.

The format of the program, however, is far from traditional, said K-8 director Lu Embrey. “I can see tradition in your schedule but not within your strategy,” she told the teachers.

The program is built on a mix between traditional classroom time, team projects and individual challenges. One teacher will be responsible for 16 students, half the ratio in the regular high school.

The alternative program is the brainchild of EVHS principal Jeff Miller and Stookey, who have been searching for a way to attract dropouts back to school.

The teachers, Dick Schultz, Mike Malsam and Kathy Luden, were selected to develop the program because of their backgrounds in working with at-risk students. They’ve been working together for a month, putting the program together and contacting students.

In June, Stookey mailed out cards to students who had dropped out of EVHS to ask if they’d return to an alternative program. Students were told the program would provide more personal interaction with teachers and more flexible schedules, making room for part-time jobs. Twenty-seven dropouts sent back positive responses. But only 15 have committed.

“We’re getting good feedback from the girls,” said Luden. “A lot of the boys are reluctant to make a commitment.”

Regardless of the program’s problems, board member Karl Wilkinson is a staunch supporter. Even if only 15 students show up, he said, it’s worth it.

“That’s 15 kids that weren’t planning to come back to school,” Wilkinson said. “To me that’s worth an awful lot. I just want it to open so it can get filled.”

“It’ll fill,” echoed Miller.

Now it’ll be a race with time for the three teachers leading the program to get it ready by start of school on Sept. 6.

, DataTimes