Board approves expanded Graduation Alliance partnership for online ALE services (no new contract)
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Summary
District staff presented an expanded partnership with Graduation Alliance to provide ALE and credit‑recovery services, with Graduation Alliance providing curriculum, staffing and technology while the district retains special education oversight and a local liaison.
District staff presented details of an expanded partnership with Graduation Alliance to provide online ALE and credit‑recovery services.
Derek (presenter) told the board the change is an expanded partnership rather than a new contract: "There's no new contract needed. We already have a contract in place with them," and said the vendor provides Washington State‑standard coursework delivered by state‑certified teachers, a learning coach model and proprietary software that includes cell‑enabled laptops for students.
Derek said the district will continue to provide special education services, state testing and a local liaison; Principal Holmes will serve as the district’s secondary school options administrator and work with Amy to help families transition. Derek said students in the Graduation Alliance program will receive a campus school district diploma and may participate in campus high school graduation ceremonies.
On athletics and extracurriculars, Derek said students can participate in district athletics subject to eligibility rules and must work with the athletic director and the district liaison to confirm individual eligibility. He said some curricular clubs (e.g., DECA) are evaluated case by case, while districtwide activities such as robotics remain available to all students.
Board members asked operational questions about summer school, fees and communications. Staff confirmed Graduation Alliance will run an online, credit‑recovery summer program staffed by the vendor (a fee will apply, and the district is exploring ways to lower costs). The district will include Graduation Alliance as an option in the April 3 school‑choice materials and counselors will discuss options with families who appear credit‑deficient.
Board members also pressed on quality and sustainability: staff noted Graduation Alliance’s statewide scale allows course offerings a small district could not staff, and the district will maintain oversight through a liaison and local case management. Staff promised more details on summer fees, exact liaison duties and a plan for informing families ahead of the school‑choice deadline.
Next steps: staff will finalize operational details (summer program structure and fees, liaison role, athletic eligibility procedures) and report back to the board as enrollment and school‑choice deadlines approach.
