MONROE - The philosophy of a Monroe virtual schools catering to students across the state is over.
The Monroe school board voted unanimously Monday, Dec. 16 to close the online virtual middle and high schools that serve 146 full-time and 18 part-time students, mostly from across the state, after this school year. However, the district plans to offer a virtual school with more technology integration to students in the Monroe district.
"We have significant needs right here in Monroe within our brick-and-mortar schools where we should focus our resources, technology and attention," Monroe School District Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner said. "It is difficult to do that while also focusing across the state with virtual education. We believe there is merit for virtual options. We need to tailor our options for students in Monroe and offer diverse opportunities to integrate 21st Century skills into our curriculum."
District leaders wanted to evaluate the virtual schools in the district after the charter for the high school virtual school expired in 2006 and the middle school charter expired in 2009. The state Department of Public Instruction gave the district an extension until January to finalize a new deal.
There were several factors in favor of closing the statewide virtual schools. If it continued to operate a virtual school, the district would be required to appoint a special board to oversee it. In addition, more stringent accountability and standards for state testing are in store once the Smarter Balanced Assessment begins in 2014-15 and replaces the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination.
Another factor was dwindling enrollment and the financial resources many other virtual schools are using to lure students to their schools. The virtual school at its peak had an enrollment of 400; now it's down to 146 with just four full-time students from Monroe.
"Some of these districts have outsourced to academies that have big dollars they can throw at advertising, which we have not had," school board president Bob Erb said. "We could invest a lot of time and effort into a new charter and we could still see our enrollment decline because of other schools with more money."
The virtual high school in Monroe was started by Dan Bauer in 2002 and the virtual middle school was added in 2006. It was one of the first virtual schools in the state and the focus was to give at-risk students another option to earn a diploma.
With changing and more rigorous state standards expected for virtual schools, many are shifting their focus to a technology based role to prepare students for college and careers.
Board member Amy Bazley said she has trust the district can remain a leader in virtual education on a smaller scale with its own students.
"I don't think this board has ever been accused of not being progressive enough," Bazley said. "I would hate to see us hang on to something that would be detrimental to students."
Board member Larry Eakins agreed a virtual school tailored to just students in the district should be the top priority.
"Our responsibility is to students here," Eakins said. "We have to honor that responsibility first."
The plan for the district-only virtual school hasn't been hammered out yet.
Currently, there are six staff members and two secretaries involved with the virtual school. Hirsbrunner said one plan would have the district using two staff members for the virtual school with one at the high school, one at the middle school and a technology integrator who could work with teachers. The high school has an online learning lab, and Hirsbrunner said the district is considering adding an online lab at the middle school.
Board member Les Bieneman understands there will probably be some teaching positions cut. He urged the board to maintain as many virtual school staff as they could.
"I would like to encourage us to keep as many as we can," Bieneman said. "These are longtime employees."
The Monroe school board voted unanimously Monday, Dec. 16 to close the online virtual middle and high schools that serve 146 full-time and 18 part-time students, mostly from across the state, after this school year. However, the district plans to offer a virtual school with more technology integration to students in the Monroe district.
"We have significant needs right here in Monroe within our brick-and-mortar schools where we should focus our resources, technology and attention," Monroe School District Superintendent Cory Hirsbrunner said. "It is difficult to do that while also focusing across the state with virtual education. We believe there is merit for virtual options. We need to tailor our options for students in Monroe and offer diverse opportunities to integrate 21st Century skills into our curriculum."
District leaders wanted to evaluate the virtual schools in the district after the charter for the high school virtual school expired in 2006 and the middle school charter expired in 2009. The state Department of Public Instruction gave the district an extension until January to finalize a new deal.
There were several factors in favor of closing the statewide virtual schools. If it continued to operate a virtual school, the district would be required to appoint a special board to oversee it. In addition, more stringent accountability and standards for state testing are in store once the Smarter Balanced Assessment begins in 2014-15 and replaces the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination.
Another factor was dwindling enrollment and the financial resources many other virtual schools are using to lure students to their schools. The virtual school at its peak had an enrollment of 400; now it's down to 146 with just four full-time students from Monroe.
"Some of these districts have outsourced to academies that have big dollars they can throw at advertising, which we have not had," school board president Bob Erb said. "We could invest a lot of time and effort into a new charter and we could still see our enrollment decline because of other schools with more money."
The virtual high school in Monroe was started by Dan Bauer in 2002 and the virtual middle school was added in 2006. It was one of the first virtual schools in the state and the focus was to give at-risk students another option to earn a diploma.
With changing and more rigorous state standards expected for virtual schools, many are shifting their focus to a technology based role to prepare students for college and careers.
Board member Amy Bazley said she has trust the district can remain a leader in virtual education on a smaller scale with its own students.
"I don't think this board has ever been accused of not being progressive enough," Bazley said. "I would hate to see us hang on to something that would be detrimental to students."
Board member Larry Eakins agreed a virtual school tailored to just students in the district should be the top priority.
"Our responsibility is to students here," Eakins said. "We have to honor that responsibility first."
The plan for the district-only virtual school hasn't been hammered out yet.
Currently, there are six staff members and two secretaries involved with the virtual school. Hirsbrunner said one plan would have the district using two staff members for the virtual school with one at the high school, one at the middle school and a technology integrator who could work with teachers. The high school has an online learning lab, and Hirsbrunner said the district is considering adding an online lab at the middle school.
Board member Les Bieneman understands there will probably be some teaching positions cut. He urged the board to maintain as many virtual school staff as they could.
"I would like to encourage us to keep as many as we can," Bieneman said. "These are longtime employees."