Board hears plan to expand online school from 50 to 200 seats; district proposes 120‑day coordinator role

District staff briefed the board on plans to expand the district’s online school from 50 seats this year to 200 seats in the upcoming budget cycle and proposed a short-term contract position to coordinate the program.

District leaders said the existing 50-seat pilot was managed by a small team — named in the presentation as Justin Hilton, Amy French and the district’s online coordinator — and that the program required staff to handle Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans and regular communication with families. The district presented a draft job description for a 120‑day contract online coordinator whose sole responsibility would be program management if the board approves expansion.

Why it matters: Board members asked how online students are counted for average daily membership (ADM) and whether the students would remain enrolled at their home schools for services. Staff said online students would still be Sullivan County Schools students (enrolled through their home schools) and that district counselors and special-education staff remain involved as liaisons, but the online coordinator would act as the central liaison for daily communication with the online teacher provider (Pearson) and families.

Staff emphasized program quality: the district reported positive survey feedback from families and said most current online families planned to continue with the online program next year. Staff also described an intake interview process for prospective families; the interview was used to assess fit and — in some cases — to advise families that online learning would not be appropriate. Staff said expansion would add work and that the 120‑day contract would cover program management without immediately adding a full‑time position.

Budget and ADM effects: staff said the district expects a mix of in-district transfers and students from outside the system; historically, about half the pilot seats were non‑district students at launch but that proportion shifted after the first semester. Staff noted that an increase in virtual seats could help offset declines in ADM in other schools if the seats attract outside students who then count toward the district base. The district cautioned that the virtual program’s fiscal impact depends on exact enrollment and that the district will track the ADM and funding implications.

Board direction: staff said they would bring a job posting and additional details for the proposed coordinator post if the board supports the expansion. Board members asked for more specifics on workload and for assurances that school counselors and special education services would continue to serve enrolled students.