Danville highlights Ironman Cyber Academy, direct Pearson contract and outside cyber costs
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Summary
District staff said a new direct contract with Pearson reduced costs by about $15,000 and highlighted that 1.44% of students attend outside cyber charters at an estimated $400,000 cost to local taxpayers; staff said the district actively recruits such students back to the local cyber program.
District administrators told the board the district moved to a direct contract with Pearson for its Ironman Cyber Academy and reduced annual costs by about $15,000.
The presentation explained that the district previously contracted through a third party for cyber programming and that the change to a direct Pearson contract eliminated that intermediary fee. Staff said the district uses Pearson for its in-district cyber program and described the district’s approach to retaining enrolled families.
District staff reported that about 1.44% of Danville Area School District students are enrolled in outside cyber charter schools, at an estimated cost to local taxpayers of roughly $400,000. Staff contrasted Danville’s outside-cyber enrollment rate with an average regional rate of 3.9% and noted several regional districts spend substantially more on outside cyber charters — in some cases approaching $2 million — out of local budgets.
Staff told the board the district conducts an annual outreach campaign to families with students attending outside cyber charters. The district’s high school cyber teacher, Mister Brent Sample, was named as the staff member who calls families to discuss the Ironman Cyber option and supports families who return to the in-district cyber program. Staff also credited school counselors and support staff — named in the meeting as Missus Delgado and Miss Wenrick — for working with families who have complex needs.
Administrators said students enrolled in the district cyber program can participate in hybrid schedules when appropriate: some students attend on-site in a district cyber lab, others work from home, and some combine in-person courses with online-only courses.
Staff said the district’s local region directs roughly $14 million in local dollars into outside cyber charters overall and that Danville’s program is a lower-cost local alternative. Staff recommended the board be aware of the scale and cost of outside cyber enrollment when making program and budget decisions.
No contract vote was taken at the Sept. 3 meeting; staff said a Pearson contract and other agreements will appear on the board agenda for action in a subsequent meeting.