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Board hears overhaul of alternative education: daily DRCs, case managers and virtual options planned
Summary
The district outlined a plan to enhance its Crystal Street alternative education site with certified virtual instruction, daily DRC hearings, case managers to boost attendance and individualized academic/behavior plans, and three family‑choice models (on‑site, blended, full virtual) to keep students on the graduation track.
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board heard a multi‑part plan July 21 to revamp the Crystal Street alternative education (AE) program with the stated goals of keeping students on graduation pathways, reducing lost instructional time, and offering family choice.
Miss Staley presented five principal changes: ensure certified content instruction (via the district's virtual teachers for many courses), expand access to high‑school electives so students stay on track, institute daily Discipline Review Committee (DRC) hearings to avoid multi‑week placement delays, deploy case managers to monitor attendance/engagement and individualized plans, and offer three delivery models (daily on‑site instruction, a blended rotational model and a monitored full‑virtual option with required in‑person check‑ins).
"We want families to have options," Miss Staley said, describing the blended and virtual tracks as scheduled, teacher‑led instruction (not self‑paced packets) and emphasizing case managers for weekly monitoring and early intervention.
Board members supported stronger accountability but pressed for rubrics to screen whether full virtual is appropriate for individual students. Several trustees asked that the DRC and case managers ensure virtual placements include an adult supervision plan and early reporting so students who are not engaging are moved to in‑person instruction quickly.
The plan would repurpose about ten existing staff as case managers and centralize some DRC functions at Crystal Street to allow orientation and academic services to begin without a multi‑week wait. Transportation and meals will continue to be available for on‑site and hybrid students.
The board did not vote on the revamp at the meeting; administrators said they will continue work, present additional operational details and answer follow‑up questions at public sessions and the district's planned community breakfasts before the August start of school.
