MONROE - The Monroe school board will consider a recommendation to close the Monroe Virtual School as it exists at the end of the school year.
Monroe School District Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner updated the school board Monday, Nov. 25 on the virtual school's structure since six staff members were moved into Monroe High School this year. The charter for the high school virtual school expired in 2006 and the middle school virtual school charter expired in 2009. The state Department of Public Instruction gave the district an extension until January to finalize a new virtual school deal. The board plans to vote on the virtual school closing Dec. 16.
"My recommendation is to close the virtual school as it exists," Hirsbrunner said. "We believe the focus should be on Monroe students. We are not relying on students across the state. We believe there is merit to online virtual school options."
Hirsbrunner instead wants to see the district focus on an online virtual school that is tailored to just students in Monroe and offers a diverse course selection that includes course deficient classes and Advanced Placement courses.
If the virtual school is to remain in its current structure, Hirsbrunner said a special school board would have to be appointed to oversee it, a parent advisory council would have to be added to develop and implement school resources and admission guidelines would have to be established because the district has no cap on enrollment.
Monroe was one of the first districts across the state to open a virtual school. The district opened a virtual high school in 2002 and a virtual middle school in 2006.
Hirsbrunner said the intent of the virtual school at the beginning was to offer an alternative school option for at-risk students who were expelled, a student safety risk, credit deficient or those with medical needs so they could earn a high school diploma. The school at its high enrollment point enrolled 400 students. This year, the virtual school has 164 students enrolled with 22 at the middle school level, 124 at the high school as full-time and 18 at the high school who are part-time. Only four of the 164 students enrolled in the virtual school are from Monroe.
The standards and goals for virtual schools across the state are changing.
"For virtual schools now, it's about being college and career ready," Hirsbrunner said. "It will be about growth from where they are coming in and where they are when they leave. We know there are kids who don't go to four-year or two-year colleges, but go to tech schools. I think we can provide some of that for them to be successful."
Hirsbrunner said the virtual school in the district was about to break even last year.
With increased state testing standards, each student would have to be tested. And with a new state test, the Smarter Balanced Assessment, coming next year, more rigorous standards would be required. The virtual school met few expectations on the school report card based on last year's test scores.
"It's difficult for us to do those educator effectiveness models with students and staff when we don't see them on a regular basis," she said.
Monroe's virtual school is unique because teachers give exams face-to-face and are required to monitor student learning even though students can complete their work at home on the computer and at any time of day if they have a full-time job. The virtual school uses a computer based curriculum and uses high school curriculum materials from Nebraska, Missouri and BYU. There also is an online learning lab the district has in the high school that they could continue using.
If the virtual school structure is to stay intact, the district would have to appoint an administrator to oversee it. Monroe Principal Chris Medenwaldt and Monroe Assistant Principal Jeriamy Jackson as well as Hirsbrunner and at times district Business manager Ron Olson oversee the virtual program.
Hirsbrunner said one administrator would have to oversee the virtual school if it remains in its current structure to ensure that student growth, learning goals and state testing procedures are followed through with.
"We have to be proactive," Hirsbrunner said. "Change is absolutely needed. If we are not proactive the DPI or others can make decisions for us."
Monroe School Board President Bob Erb said the board must determine if they should focus on students already at the high school or try to reach needs of students across the state.
Several board members were skeptical of appointing a board to oversee a virtual school.
"I don't think anyone wants a non-elected board spending taxpayer dollars," said board member Larry Eakins. "We are the board of education. Why do we have to serve kids all across the state?"
Erb shared a similar sentiment to Eakins.
"I would have a tough time with that," Erb said of appointing a board. "If we don't have input that would be a tough thing to swallow."
Monroe School District Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner updated the school board Monday, Nov. 25 on the virtual school's structure since six staff members were moved into Monroe High School this year. The charter for the high school virtual school expired in 2006 and the middle school virtual school charter expired in 2009. The state Department of Public Instruction gave the district an extension until January to finalize a new virtual school deal. The board plans to vote on the virtual school closing Dec. 16.
"My recommendation is to close the virtual school as it exists," Hirsbrunner said. "We believe the focus should be on Monroe students. We are not relying on students across the state. We believe there is merit to online virtual school options."
Hirsbrunner instead wants to see the district focus on an online virtual school that is tailored to just students in Monroe and offers a diverse course selection that includes course deficient classes and Advanced Placement courses.
If the virtual school is to remain in its current structure, Hirsbrunner said a special school board would have to be appointed to oversee it, a parent advisory council would have to be added to develop and implement school resources and admission guidelines would have to be established because the district has no cap on enrollment.
Monroe was one of the first districts across the state to open a virtual school. The district opened a virtual high school in 2002 and a virtual middle school in 2006.
Hirsbrunner said the intent of the virtual school at the beginning was to offer an alternative school option for at-risk students who were expelled, a student safety risk, credit deficient or those with medical needs so they could earn a high school diploma. The school at its high enrollment point enrolled 400 students. This year, the virtual school has 164 students enrolled with 22 at the middle school level, 124 at the high school as full-time and 18 at the high school who are part-time. Only four of the 164 students enrolled in the virtual school are from Monroe.
The standards and goals for virtual schools across the state are changing.
"For virtual schools now, it's about being college and career ready," Hirsbrunner said. "It will be about growth from where they are coming in and where they are when they leave. We know there are kids who don't go to four-year or two-year colleges, but go to tech schools. I think we can provide some of that for them to be successful."
Hirsbrunner said the virtual school in the district was about to break even last year.
With increased state testing standards, each student would have to be tested. And with a new state test, the Smarter Balanced Assessment, coming next year, more rigorous standards would be required. The virtual school met few expectations on the school report card based on last year's test scores.
"It's difficult for us to do those educator effectiveness models with students and staff when we don't see them on a regular basis," she said.
Monroe's virtual school is unique because teachers give exams face-to-face and are required to monitor student learning even though students can complete their work at home on the computer and at any time of day if they have a full-time job. The virtual school uses a computer based curriculum and uses high school curriculum materials from Nebraska, Missouri and BYU. There also is an online learning lab the district has in the high school that they could continue using.
If the virtual school structure is to stay intact, the district would have to appoint an administrator to oversee it. Monroe Principal Chris Medenwaldt and Monroe Assistant Principal Jeriamy Jackson as well as Hirsbrunner and at times district Business manager Ron Olson oversee the virtual program.
Hirsbrunner said one administrator would have to oversee the virtual school if it remains in its current structure to ensure that student growth, learning goals and state testing procedures are followed through with.
"We have to be proactive," Hirsbrunner said. "Change is absolutely needed. If we are not proactive the DPI or others can make decisions for us."
Monroe School Board President Bob Erb said the board must determine if they should focus on students already at the high school or try to reach needs of students across the state.
Several board members were skeptical of appointing a board to oversee a virtual school.
"I don't think anyone wants a non-elected board spending taxpayer dollars," said board member Larry Eakins. "We are the board of education. Why do we have to serve kids all across the state?"
Erb shared a similar sentiment to Eakins.
"I would have a tough time with that," Erb said of appointing a board. "If we don't have input that would be a tough thing to swallow."