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Beaufort County School District presents 'Right Choices' alternative-program update; staff cite communication and reentry supports
Summary
District staff described the Right Choices alternative-education program, reporting 78 enrolled students (33 middle, 45 high school), a later daily schedule (9:45 a.m. start), six certified alternative-education teachers and processes for orientation, data-sharing with home schools and reentry planning.
District staff presented an overview of Right Choices, the Beaufort County School District's centralized alternative-education program that serves middle and high school students assigned following hearing or reentry decisions.
The presenter outlined program staffing and services: a director, assistant director, a liaison who coordinates with home schools, 1.5 social-worker roles (one shared half-time), a district nurse resource, a school counselor, a dedicated school resource officer assigned to Right Choices, behavior-management specialists, a special-education teacher for students with IEPs, six certified alternative-education teachers, and an administrative assistant who fills multiple duties.
On student timelines, staff said placement usually begins after a hearing decision; hearing officers may assign students to expulsion, Right Choices, or return to the home school. Families receive orientation; staff attempt to provide transportation flexibility and virtual options where warranted. The presenter described a transition plan: "Mister Ward and his team worked with the school staff to transition them back to their zone homeschool," and staff report increased principal outreach and collaboration to improve reentry planning.
Staff reported enrollment "as of when we've submitted the slides earlier this week" at 78 total students (33 middle school, 45 high school). Board members noted the count is fluid and asked for historical comparisons: one member asked for measurable data comparing this year with prior years (major incidents, referrals, outcomes). The presenter acknowledged the request and said that discipline data and referrals can be handled but were not presented that day to avoid identifying students.
Board members asked about assignment length (typically a quarter or a semester depending on the infraction), use of summer school, referral procedures, and staffing sufficiency. The presenter said assignments can be extended by sending districts in exceptional cases and that summer-school participation is handled case-by-case. The district said it currently employs one building-based substitute to cover absences when needed and affirmed the current teacher roster are certified teachers.
Next steps: board members asked staff to return with more measurable outcome data and year-over-year comparisons to help gauge program direction; staff offered to provide additional metrics in a future presentation.
