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District to formalize HD Karnes as standalone alternative school; USD 475 virtual school to open with 60 seats
Summary
Geary County Schools staff told negotiators that H.D. Karnes has been approved as a standalone 7–12 alternative school with its own building code and graduation rate, and that the district will open a K–12 USD 475 virtual school limited to 60 students.
District staff presented background and implementation details for two related programs: H.D. Karnes alternative school (now approved as a standalone 7–12 building code) and a district-run USD 475 virtual school (approved as a K–12 program limited to 60 students).
The presenter said the Karnes facility became available after the former “fresh room” was removed and that the district has worked since 2022 to formalize a standalone code, address transition and data-tracking needs, and establish staffing and program supports. “H. D. Karnes alternative school was approved by the Board of Education this spring, as was USD 475 virtual school, and both of those are their own separate building codes,” the presenter said.
The district described Karnes as a secondary-only (grades 7–12) alternative setting that will have its own graduation rate and building-level accountability. The presenter said Karnes has graduated more than 50 students in the last two years and that the site will include a blend of computer-based and face-to-face instruction, instructional coach support, and certified counselors. The presenter said the district worked with KSDE (Kansas State Department of Education) and other districts to build an approach for data reporting and accountability.
The USD 475 virtual school will be K–12 but limited to 60 total students at launch (about 20 elementary and 40 secondary). The presenter said students must reside inside the USD 475 district boundaries to enroll and that the virtual program will use a learning platform (Selus Gold was named) rather than full-time live classroom instruction; staff will provide daily check-ins, course assignments, and supports rather than delivering whole-day live lessons. The district said the initial cap was chosen because the program will use existing staff rather than hiring additional personnel.
Scheduling details for Karnes were discussed: the presenter described proposed planning time and schedules intended to maximize face-to-face instruction where possible, and noted the district will establish schedules and protocols that reflect the mix of middle- and high-school students at the site. For the virtual program the presenter described daily morning and afternoon check-ins and platform analytics used for state auditing of student active time.
District staff said they will monitor the virtual program’s implementation closely and consider expansion only after the pilot demonstrates that the district can manage attendance audit requirements, staffing and workload, and the data/reporting needs for separate building codes.
No formal board action on these items was taken during this negotiations meeting; staff presented background and negotiating language for the collective-bargaining appendix.
