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Jennings County reviews K–8 Edmentum virtual school to recapture students; informational presentation, no vote
Summary
District staff presented an informational plan to create a separate K–8 virtual program using Edmentum to attract students who currently attend online programs elsewhere. The plan would use a separate accountability school number and rely on an online provider’s state‑certified teachers; the board did not vote on the item.
District staff presented an informational proposal to create a separate K–8 virtual school using the Edmentum platform, aimed at bringing back students who live in Jennings County but now attend online programs elsewhere. The presentation was informational only; the board did not take action at this meeting.
Why it matters: the district reported a modest but rising number of local students (28 in the most recent year) choosing out‑of‑district online options. A local virtual program could retain per‑pupil funding and maintain a district relationship with those families while offering local supports.
What staff described
- Enrollment trend: staff said 28 Jennings County students chose online options in the most recent year and that the number has gradually increased from 2022 to 2023.
- Program model: the district presented a turnkey option using Edmentum, a state‑approved, credited online learning platform with K–8 curriculum aligned to state standards and access to state‑certified virtual teachers provided by Edmentum. Staff characterized Edmentum as the vendor that best met the district’s needs after reviewing multiple providers.
- Local supports: although instruction would be delivered by Edmentum teachers (not district teachers), the district would provide in‑person tutoring sessions, periodic enrichment or STEM days, local special education minutes delivered by district special education staff, local technology support and a hotline for families.
- Accountability and funding: staff said the district would receive roughly 85 percent of the tuition support amount for a virtual student, and that about 60 percent of that amount would cover the Edmentum licensing and device costs (presenter phrasing in transcript). The district plans to apply for a separate accountability (school) number so results for the virtual program can be tracked separately.
- Grade span and program limits: staff described the proposal as K–8 only. When asked whether the online option would allow high school students to take advantage of the district’s skilled trades/CTE offerings, staff said the K–8 program does not include high school CTE access; the district continues to offer those programs in person at the high school.
Board reaction and next steps
- Board members asked clarifying questions about access to local career and technical education; a board member encouraged families to consider in‑person skilled trades opportunities at the high school.
- Because the presentation was informational, no vote was taken. Staff said they will return with a formal request to apply for a separate school accountability number and, if approved by the board at a future meeting, will begin marketing and enrolling students.
Source and attribution: presentation remarks and descriptions are drawn from the district staff presentation recorded in the meeting transcript. Specific program details, funding percentages and enrollment counts were stated by district staff during the presentation; these figures were presented as estimates by staff and the board did not adopt a formal plan during this meeting.
