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Parent urges district to expand and integrate Citadel program and clarify transition plans
Summary
A parent addressed the board during public comment asking the district to expand the Citadel program to K'12 and to avoid using an alternative curriculum that could limit post-high-school options; she also urged clearer communications about next steps and mental-health supports.
During the public-comment period, Crystal Marner, a parent, asked the board to consider expanding and better integrating the Citadel program and to provide clearer transition plans for participating students.
Marner said her son, who attends the Citadel program and is "twice exceptional," has benefited from the setting but feels separated from peers at his home school and misses activities such as band. She urged the district to move away from an alternative curriculum for Citadel students where possible and to integrate supports that allow students to remain connected to their home schools and to continue course options that support postsecondary plans, such as pathways toward engineering.
"Just because they learn differently doesn't mean they should be isolated from what they love," Marner said. She also asked the district to give parents and students clearer information about "next steps" for students in Citadel so families know what to expect as students progress through school.
Marner said she plans to continue discussions with district staff and that she will seek follow-up meetings to pursue the issues further.
Board members acknowledged her comments and thanked her for raising concerns and suggestions for student supports.
