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District plans on-site alternative-education space at Carol High and proposes student materials fee amid budget pressure
Summary
Northwest Allen County Schools outlined plans to relocate its alternative/disciplinary placement program from ACLA to a secure, on-site space at Carol High School with live instruction and counseling supports; the board also heard a proposal for flat student materials fees ($40 preK–5, $60 6–12) to offset about $1 million in consumable costs and approved a locker purchase related to phone-storage requirements.
District leaders told the board they are moving forward with two operational changes they say will improve student services and fiscal sustainability.
Alternative education: Dr. Bidding described facility plans to convert space at Carol High School into a secure, supervised program for students currently served at ACLA. "We're knocking some walls down...we're trying to get a big open space," he said, describing open supervision areas, small conference rooms for instruction and secure exterior entrances. The district's construction partner estimated that, if site work begins in the second week of June, the project could be completed in time for the new school year.
Dr. Toller outlined the academic model: at minimum, staff will provide live daily instruction in math and English with a social-studies–licensed teacher on site and additional support from counseling and student-assistance staff to ease students’ transitions back to regular schedules. "Our goal is to continue live instruction for these students during the day," Dr. Toller said. Board members asked about adult-to-student ratios and safety protocols; administrators said they expect an operational maximum of 20:1 but noted typical caseloads are smaller and that the district may add an instructional assistant. Security measures under consideration include a metal detector at the exterior entrance, restrictions on phones and fob access to the main building.
Budget and student materials: In a separate presentation, Mr. Dale reviewed a post‑2023 legislative landscape that limits charging for curricular materials and showed the district spent roughly $2.3 million last year on curriculum materials, consumables, devices and software. He said about $1 million of that is consumables and proposed a simple flat fee to help sustain courses: $40 per student for preK–5 and $60 per student for grades 6–12, billed per semester. "A million dollars is tricky to sustain," Mr. Dale said; he estimated full collection of the proposed fees would return about $423,000 to the education fund—reducing but not eliminating the consumables shortfall.
Locker purchase and phone policy: Mr. Basham asked the board to approve purchase of 436 lockers (Pulver Cove) to support a new state law requiring phones to be stored during the school day. Board members discussed handbook implications, passing-time changes and equity for families; the board approved the locker purchase by voice vote.
Administrators said the materials-fee proposal is a preliminary plan being shared to solicit board and community feedback; they will return with a formal recommendation after family input and further budgeting work. No final fee vote was recorded at this meeting.
