Bridge Academy moving
Relocation to Project CDA building could ultimately save school district money
The Coeur d’Alene School District is moving two programs aimed at curbing the dropout rate under one roof.
This fall, the district’s Bridge Academy will move into the Project CDA alternative school near midtown Coeur d’Alene.
It’s one of many changes the district is making because of $1 million in overspending on special education in the past year, a budget shortfall in the coming year and increased fuel and snow removal costs. Superintendent Hazel Bauman estimates moving the Bridge Academy to Project CDA could eventually save the district about $250,000 a year.
Though the decision to put the two alternative programs in the same building has been met with some criticism, Bridge Director Susan Thomas said she’s embracing the change.
“The next year will be a challenge,” Thomas said, “but I believe we will continue to have a highly successful program.”
The Bridge Academy – a dropout retrieval school that was former Superintendent Harry Amend’s pet project – allows students to work toward their high school diploma a credit at a time with flexible schedules.
Project CDA (Creating Dropout Alternatives) is an alternative school that provides core classes like the district’s other high schools, but has smaller class sizes and offers several home economics-type courses, technology and occupational training. Day care is available for students with young children and the school includes a career center and cafeteria.
Both Thomas and Bauman say putting the programs in the same building will expand opportunities for students in both Project CDA and the Bridge Academy.
“I certainly can see how they complement each other,” Thomas said. “We’re both working toward the same goal of helping these kids who would otherwise drop out.”
Bridge Academy teacher Mike Baum has vocally opposed the move.
“One of the things that made the Bridge so successful is we were totally separate from any of the other high schools,” Baum said. He said many students said they liked attending the Bridge Academy because “drama taking place at other schools doesn’t go on at Bridge.”
Baum also contests the amount the district will save by moving Bridge.
When Bridge moves out, the district will use the empty building as the district’s Technology Depot, a warehouse for equipment. The warehouse’s current location behind Lakes Middle School will become an office for the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.
Though the district will still have some utility expenses, Bauman said there won’t be a need to heat the building nearly as much as when students were there. Costs will go down, she said.
She said there’s room for Bridge at Project CDA, a newer building built with $4 million from the 2002 School Plant Facilities Levy. Bridge will have its own wing and a separate entrance.
Several other changes are being made in the district to deal with the budget woes.
Bauman’s former position – assistant superintendent – isn’t being filled.
The district isn’t replacing curriculum director Jim Facciano, either, or seven teachers who have left the district.
Summer school for elementary and middle school students was eliminated and the district won’t buy any new textbooks or furniture.
Bauman said the district is starting a finance committee – made up of citizens – “to have a fresh set of eyes” look at the district’s finances.