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Board pauses closure of district virtual academy; directs staff to pursue revised two‑teacher model
Summary
Trustees reviewed three options for the Washington Unified Virtual Academy (WUVA) — keep open with reduced staffing, merge into a site, or convert to independent study — and, after debate and no closure motion, directed staff to implement Option 1 as the working path and return with logistics.
Trustees discussed the future of the Washington Unified Virtual Academy (WUVA) on April 10 after staff presented three options for sustaining the program amid low enrollment and budget pressures.
Staff reported current WUVA enrollment at 62 students, an average daily attendance near 89%, and an estimated general‑fund contribution of $130,000 for this year (rising to $170,000 under a status‑quo scenario next year). The three options presented were: (1) continue WUVA with a two‑teacher model and supervision by an existing K–8 principal or Education Services; (2) close WUVA as a separate CDS program and merge students into an existing site; or (3) convert WUVA to a district independent‑study model with reduced synchronous time.
Families and a fourth‑grader spoke in favor of keeping WUVA, describing it as essential for students with medical needs or who have experienced bullying. Staff said Option 1 would keep the instructional model most similar to current practice and might limit enrollment to grade 4–8 to maintain synchronous minutes.
Board action and outcome: Trustees debated but did not make a motion to close the program. In the absence of a motion the program remained open; trustees directed staff to proceed with Option 1 as the working direction and to provide details on supervision, enrollment limits and supports for families who opt for other placements.
Why it matters: The decision preserves a small virtual option used by students with specific needs while giving staff time to develop staffing and scheduling plans ahead of the next school year.
