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Annandale board hears positive review of ALP application; district plans quick resubmission
Summary
School officials said the district's Alternative Learning Program (ALP) application received positive initial feedback from state reviewers with minor wording and transportation questions; staff expect to resubmit the application this week and said a state decision typically follows in about two to three weeks.
Shirley told the Annandale Public School District board the district's Alternative Learning Program (ALP) application received “very, very positive feedback” during an initial state review and that staff planned to resubmit the application by Wednesday or Thursday.
The application reviewer flagged a few clarifications, Shirley said, including language about which staff qualify as teachers of record and transportation for extended-day programming. Shirley said the district addressed licensure wording—explaining that counselors slated to teach in the ALP are also licensed teachers—and adjusted finance language accordingly.
Shirley described two ALP models she and state reviewers discussed: an ALP that functions like an alternative learning center (ALC) and one primarily designed for resident students with open-enrollment access for others. "It really is about a fairness thing," Shirley said, noting the state cautioned against creating dual waiting lists that could advantage some students over others.
On logistics, Shirley said transportation remains a potential barrier for extended-day offerings and that the district will explore grant options and other funding to mitigate that challenge. For part-time online coursework the district plans to pilot Edmentum as an option so students could combine in-person classes with one or two online courses; those online classes would be monitored and students pulled back to in-person instruction if their grades fall below district thresholds.
Shirley also summarized a family interest survey: she said the district contacted roughly 64 families and received about two dozen responses (she referenced both "21" and "24" in the discussion), with seven families saying they would return if comparable programming were available and seven more expressing interest pending additional information. Shirley added six students in the district's work-experience program had chosen online options this year; four of those had planned to leave the district but remained after the online option was available.
Next steps, as Shirley described, are a near-term resubmission to the state and follow-up site visits with area schools. "We're really excited about that group," Shirley said of teachers who would share time in the ALP. The board asked staff to return with updates and the district said it expects a state response in approximately two to three weeks after resubmission.
What happens next: district staff will finalize the revised application language, resubmit this week, and report back to the board after the state issues its review outcome.
