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ALC supervisor outlines expansion, experiential curriculum and funding needs
Summary
The district’s Area Learning Center supervisor described plans to expand experiential and work‑based learning, pilot a middle‑school ALC for about a dozen students, and use Perkins changes to broaden access for special populations; staff also recommended buying four buses and prioritized several LTFM projects.
Ben Craig, the district’s alternative education/Area Learning Center supervisor, told the St. Francis Area Schools board on May 11 that the ALC has focused this year on expanding experiential education and is planning a small middle‑school pull‑out program for next year.
Craig said the ALC typically serves about 120 students but this year’s enrollment is nearer 100; he told board members the program can “ramp up very easily” with additional staffing. He described the ALC as “really unique in that it's like this comprehensive serious high school program,” emphasizing field trips, outdoor education and cross‑curricular projects that pair practical experiences with classroom learning.
The supervisor outlined early plans to start a middle‑school ALC serving roughly a dozen to 15 students initially, aimed at students who need smaller class sizes or more project‑based, experiential instruction. Craig also discussed work‑based learning and apprenticeships as priorities, saying the district hopes to expand employer partnerships and to use Perkins funding adjustments to increase access for special‑education populations.
Board members pressed Craig about capacity and staffing; he advised 150 as a programmatic maximum but said current staffing supports a smaller cohort, and reiterated that hiring would determine how quickly the program could grow. The presentation included a short video and a one‑page highlights handout provided to the board.
Craig and several board members credited grants and staff efforts for program enhancements; one board member noted a DNR grant funded equipment used for outdoor activities. The ALC presentation closed with an invitation for board questions and a request that the district continue outreach to families and potential partner employers.
Next steps: Craig said the district is moving forward with planning and staffing for the middle‑school pull‑out and will return with details as hiring and quotes are finalized.
