Teachers and staff presented a progress report on New Horizons Academy (NHA), the district’s alternative‑education program, describing classroom routines, social–emotional programming and community engagement while reporting early measurable gains.

Keith Korandis, classroom teacher, and Stacy Makowicz, guidance support (“Miss Mac” in the transcript), led a student‑driven presentation summarizing the program’s priorities: a welcoming climate, flexible scheduling and individualized, self‑paced credit recovery using Edgenuity. Korandis described morning warm‑ups, two daily Edgenuity sessions, teacher‑led small‑group instruction in English and math, scheduled SEL time, and protected large‑group breaks for recreation and community building. "We always start our day with a morning warm up activity," Korandis said, describing the classroom routine.

Staff reported measurable early outcomes. Korandis said the program had recorded an average 12% decrease in absences for this cohort compared with the same period in the last full year. He also said daily Edgenuity progress reports are reviewed and that at least one student had already completed a half‑year Edgenuity course with an overall grade of 86. The program has enrolled 10 students to date and has interviewed an eleventh; the program cap is 15.

The program is piloting a universal social‑emotional screener called the SABR to monitor student strengths and needs across social, academic and emotional behavior domains; the first administration occurred the day of the presentation and staff said they will use the results to plan interventions and monitor change at the next administration in January.

Community engagement activities include work at the Berry Food Pantry and shared service with the district’s post‑graduate program; staff noted opportunities for expanded experiential learning and field trips (museums, arts venues). Students helped choose the program name, New Horizons Academy, by vote, staff said.

Staff requested additional resources and items the students suggested: beanbags, fidget tools/weighted items, more board games for social‑skills practice and fundraising support for community projects. The presenters said some students are seeking to join school athletics as grades and eligibility improve; staff are coordinating with guidance counselors and coaches.

No formal committee action was requested during the presentation; the report concluded with questions from committee members about metrics, program capacity and integration with extracurricular offerings.