MONROE - A charter high school for vocationally minded students could be opening in Monroe in 2013 if the Department of Public Instruction grants federal money to the district to plan and start it.
The Monroe Board of Education gave the go-ahead at its monthly meeting Monday, March 26, for the district to submit an application to the state by April 16 for a Charter School Planning Grant.
The school, tentatively named Monroe Innovation Institute, would not conflict with the Monroe Alternative Charter School, which serves at-risk students.
"They're mutually exclusive," said superintendent Larry Brown.
The idea for Monroe Innovation Institute came out of meetings with local businesses who are having trouble finding skilled workers, he said. If granted, a planning committee will be looking into options for providing hands-on classes and internship opportunities in welding, computer tech, medical support and other skilled trades.
The school's goal is to "fill these very good jobs in our community," Brown said, and "knock down some of the barriers" that traditional high school can pose to students interested in getting a headstart on vocational school.
The district is partnering with Blackhawk Technical College on the project and considering partnerships down the line with nearby school districts. Business partnerships include Monroe Truck Equipment, Monroe Clinic, Orchid International and Colony Brands.
The grant awards $175,000 for an initial year of planning and a total of $350,000 for support during the first two years the school is open. The district finds out by August if it has secured the grant.
Figuring out logistics, such as a location for the school and how to manage flexible scheduling, is also part of the one-year planning process.
"There'll be some time for student input," Brown said.
A preliminary description of the school describes it as giving "students the opportunity to move through coursework, skills and standards at a self-directed pace (that) offers the possibility for students to then potentially receive certification or advanced-degree coursework while still in high school."
According to the DPI, in 2011 the state awarded 30 implementation grants to first-year charter schools and 15 renewal grants to charter schools in the second year of operation, including Badger Rock Middle School in Madison, High Marq Environmental Charter School in Montello and Appleton Bilingual School.
The Monroe Board of Education gave the go-ahead at its monthly meeting Monday, March 26, for the district to submit an application to the state by April 16 for a Charter School Planning Grant.
The school, tentatively named Monroe Innovation Institute, would not conflict with the Monroe Alternative Charter School, which serves at-risk students.
"They're mutually exclusive," said superintendent Larry Brown.
The idea for Monroe Innovation Institute came out of meetings with local businesses who are having trouble finding skilled workers, he said. If granted, a planning committee will be looking into options for providing hands-on classes and internship opportunities in welding, computer tech, medical support and other skilled trades.
The school's goal is to "fill these very good jobs in our community," Brown said, and "knock down some of the barriers" that traditional high school can pose to students interested in getting a headstart on vocational school.
The district is partnering with Blackhawk Technical College on the project and considering partnerships down the line with nearby school districts. Business partnerships include Monroe Truck Equipment, Monroe Clinic, Orchid International and Colony Brands.
The grant awards $175,000 for an initial year of planning and a total of $350,000 for support during the first two years the school is open. The district finds out by August if it has secured the grant.
Figuring out logistics, such as a location for the school and how to manage flexible scheduling, is also part of the one-year planning process.
"There'll be some time for student input," Brown said.
A preliminary description of the school describes it as giving "students the opportunity to move through coursework, skills and standards at a self-directed pace (that) offers the possibility for students to then potentially receive certification or advanced-degree coursework while still in high school."
According to the DPI, in 2011 the state awarded 30 implementation grants to first-year charter schools and 15 renewal grants to charter schools in the second year of operation, including Badger Rock Middle School in Madison, High Marq Environmental Charter School in Montello and Appleton Bilingual School.