NAACP and Outlet announce handoff of District 186 ——stay-in-school— program; district to continue partnership

Austin Randolph, president of the Springfield NAACP, told the Springfield School District 186 board on June 1 that the NAACP will transition leadership of the back-to-school "stay in school" program to the Outlet mentoring program while continuing to monitor and partner under the district's consent-decree obligations. "We are confident that under the leadership of Mike Felain and the Outlet, the foundation built by those before them will continue to grow," Randolph said.

Michael Felain of the Outlet described the partnership the organization plans to offer: students would remain enrolled in District 186 while using an Outlet facility for structured wraparound services, including workforce development, trauma-informed supports, family meetings and weekly mentorship. Felain said the Outlet will not operate as a separate school but will provide a building, daily mentorship and nonacademic supports while the district supplies coursework and certified teachers. "May I repeat, this is not a school," Felain said. "Students remain enrolled in district 186 to complete their coursework." He added that each student would undergo an intake process, sign a behavior contract and receive monthly family meetings.

Board members who spoke praised the continuity for expelled students and thanked longtime program leaders. Several board members and staff noted Albert Betts' long service to the program; Randolph and other speakers said scholarships honoring Betts will be established for Outlet graduates. The board did not take a formal vote on the partnership during the June 1 meeting; Randolph and Felain's remarks were presented during the public-comment/presentation portion of the agenda.

What's next: the district and nonprofit partners will proceed with planning and family intake, and speakers said they expect a formal transition and implementation steps in coming weeks.