Superintendent introduces Graduation Alliance program to recover students who dropped out

The Cherokee County School Board heard a briefing Feb. 9 on Graduation Alliance, a student-recovery program the superintendent said would help re-enroll students who have dropped out and guide them to a district diploma.

Dr. Fitzpatrick told the board the program identifies students who have left the district, offers online instruction until they can return to a local school or complete requirements, and is “costneutral to the district” because state Average Daily Membership funding follows recovered students once they are returned to the roster. He said the goal is that students who re-enter through the program would ultimately receive a Gaffne High School, Blacksburg High School or other Cherokee County School District diploma.

Board members asked how many students fit the recovery profile; Dr. Fitzpatrick said a specific count was not available at the meeting but that he would provide the figure on request. Trustees also asked whether other districts use Graduation Alliance and whether the district would need a competitive procurement. Dr. Fitzpatrick said several districts in a superintendent cohort were exploring the program and that procurement questions would be handled by the district’s procurement officer; he noted the program supplies participating students with laptops and other required technology.

The briefing included follow-up items the superintendent promised to provide to the board: a count of potentially eligible students and documentation on procurement options and program costs. No vote or contract award took place during the meeting; the discussion remained informational and staff said further details would be shared with the board.