Spearfish High School leaders propose bringing alternative school back to campus
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Summary
High school staff proposed moving the district alternative school back to Spearfish High School’s CTE building, citing personalized learning and dropout prevention. Estimated current cost factor cited as $200,000; plan would start with 30–40 students and hire two full‑time certified teachers.
Van Prew, presenting the high school report, told the board the district is proposing to bring the alternative school (AltSchool) back onto the Spearfish High School campus and connect it with the career and technical education (CTE) building.
‘‘We’re gonna talk about bringing our alternative school back to the SHS campus,’’ Van Prew said, framing the move as a means to offer personalized learning, reduce dropouts and provide students ‘‘different routes to get to the same diploma.’’ He said the current AltSchool partner (Black Hills Education Connection) serves about 32 district students and that, by bringing the program in‑house, the district could reduce the current cost factor (which he described as $200,000) and expand opportunities for students to take CTE electives and participate in activities.
Mr. Seyer described the current hybrid schedule used with Black Hills Education Connection and said students receive credit for employment experiences; he said students still graduate with a Spearfish High School diploma. Van Prew said the in‑house model would use a blend of in‑person instruction (core content) and an online credit‑recovery program the district already uses.
Board members asked whether AltSchool students count in district enrollment (answer: yes), whether students had been surveyed about returning to campus (answer: no), and whether the two teaching positions mentioned were included in the $200,000 figure (answer: yes). Van Prew said the program would initially enroll between 30 and 40 students, with an aspirational target of 50–60 as capacity and demand allow.
Staff asked to bring back implementation details if the board gives the ‘‘green light’’ to hire; board members expressed support for the concept and interest in seeing program design and staffing plans developed with teachers who would implement the program.
Next step: staff indicated they would seek board direction to hire staff and develop detailed schedules and program design if the board chooses to proceed.