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Worthington presents Vibe online program and Learning Center enrollment, plans to add full-time interventionist
Summary
District staff reported enrollment and program details for Vibe (district public online school) and the Learning Center, highlighted MTSS work, rising graduation trend, and plans to hire a full-time interventionist next year to support tier 2/3 students.
Spencer Weneke, learning center principal, and Katie Peterson, dean of students, presented program updates at the Worthington Public School District's March regular meeting, reporting enrollment figures, intervention work and next steps for the district's Vibe online program and the Learning Center.
Weneke said Vibe currently enrolls about 647 students statewide, with approximately 27 students who live within the Worthington School District. Enrollment is heaviest in lower grade bands; second grade peaked at roughly 83 students. High school Vibe students follow Worthington High School graduation requirements (30 credits). The Vibe program employs teachers of record (TORs) and MTSS coordinators located across the state.
Weneke and Peterson described recent MTSS (Minnesota multi-tiered system of supports) work. After a 2023–24 administrative self-assessment, the district hired a part-time Minnesota MTSS coordinator to assist with data collection, progress monitoring and staff training. The presenters said five students identified during the year as potentially needing special education all qualified, which leadership used to justify expanding intervention capacity: next year the district plans to hire a full-time interventionist to serve tier 2 and tier 3 students in the Vibe program.
On the Learning Center (grades 7–12), Weneke reported 134 enrolled students, including 74 seniors and 10 seventh/eighth graders; nine students already graduated this year. The Learning Center schedule offers five daily classes plus a daily "connect" class intended for relationship-building, one-on-one reteaching and credit recovery. Weneke said the program serves students from surrounding districts as well and partners with the Regional Center of Excellence; Sam Schroeder was named as the regional contact.
Weneke said graduation rates for the Learning Center have trended upward and noted the district's goal is to reach a 70% graduation rate to avoid an identification. Upcoming events listed in the presentation include a combined Learning Center and Vibe advisory meeting on April 7, an end-of-year cookout and a Learning Center graduation scheduled for May 29 at 6 p.m.; credit-recovery summer school will run in June, and a track-and-field day for Learning Center students is planned for June (date TBD).
No formal board action was required for the presentation; the board heard the update and accepted the report.
