Provo board hears East Bay Post High report; staff propose rebrand to 'LIFT Academy' and expanded employment services
Loading...
Summary
District staff told the Provo City School District Board that East Bay Post High serves roughly 35 students aged 18–22 with disabilities, emphasized vocational training and community participation, and proposed rebranding to the "LIFT Academy" and pursuing designation as a vocational rehabilitation employment provider.
Nate Evaldson, a district special education leader, told the Provo City School District Board on Dec. 9 that East Bay Post High serves about 35 students aged 18 to 22 with disabilities and focuses on employment, independent living and community participation. He asked the board to consider discussions about a name change to the “LIFT Academy (Learning Independence for Tomorrow)” and said staff would like authorization to explore becoming an employment provider under vocational rehabilitation programs.
The program’s priorities, Evaldson said, are work experience, vocational skill development and flexible scheduling to meet student needs. “We serve students 18 to 22 years old … we tend to focus pretty intensively on employment, independent living, and community participation,” Evaldson said. He described staffing that includes one full-time administrative assistant, five paraprofessionals, three full-time teachers and one part-time teacher, plus school psychology support and administrative leadership from Evaldson and a colleague.
Board members heard that the program faces logistical challenges, notably coordination across multiple campuses and transportation between sites. Evaldson noted the district already partners with vocational rehabilitation and is exploring the district becoming a pre-employment provider to broaden opportunities, especially for students who qualify under Section 504 as well as those with intellectual/developmental disabilities. He said this would require job coaching and business partnerships but could create paid work and better postsecondary outcomes for students.
Evaldson also described retention and outreach goals: East Bay Post High has about 35 enrolled students, and staff estimate roughly 15% of district students do not graduate through regular pathways; the program aims to identify and support students at risk of dropping out. He asked the board to consider a physical relocation (the Timpanogos School was discussed as an example) to co-locate with adult education programs and to support a rebranding that staff say better reflects program goals.
Board members responded positively and asked follow-up questions about campus coordination, potential co-location with adult education, and the steps required to pursue the rebrand and employment-provider designation. Vice President Gina Hales and others encouraged staff to bring details back for a future board discussion. Evaldson said any formal changes, including a name change, would return to the board for deliberation and next steps.
The presentation concluded with the board thanking staff for the report and indicating the proposal would be added to a future meeting agenda for consideration.
