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Board holds first reading of hybrid Tri County online program with Indiana Online
Summary
The board reviewed a first draft of a Tri County online learning program that would partner with Indiana Online, require application and testing, set a 30‑hour weekly engagement expectation, and limit athletics eligibility for virtual students; district would retain ~85% state funding for virtual enrollments.
Tri County School Corporation presented a first reading of a proposed hybrid online learning option that would pair district oversight with Indiana Online course delivery.
The draft policy outlines an application and intake process, enrollment criteria (staff said the program is best suited for students who are average‑to‑above average readers and are self‑motivated), and a recommended minimum engagement of about 30 hours per week (roughly five days out of seven). The draft requires students in the online program to take standardized tests, including the SAT, and gives the administration authority to remove students who fail to make progress.
The chair described the program as a hybrid model: virtual students would have priority for in‑person CTE seats only after in‑person students are accommodated, and the district would allow some club or extracurricular participation at its discretion. The chair also said the district would not allow online‑only students to participate in athletics. “So, we are going to push the synchronous options as you log in, work with an Indiana teacher, through a virtual program,” the chair said.
On funding, the chair explained that because virtual students generate state funds, the district would retain approximately 85% of state funding for those students and Indiana Online would invoice the district for seats used; other models that require purchasing seats regardless of use were rejected as less advantageous for the district at this time.
Board members asked clarifying questions about eligibility, CTE access, and extracurricular participation; staff said the highlighted portions of the draft (in yellow) remain under discussion and that the board will continue reviewing details in future meetings before any final approval.
No final action was taken; the document was presented as a first reading and will return for later consideration.
