Board hears proposal to sponsor Graduation Alliance program to serve about 50 students

The Silver Falls SD 4J board heard a presentation about a proposal to sponsor a new Graduation Alliance dropout-prevention program that would enroll about 50 students and provide the district with a portion of those students’ ADM payments, presenter Kim said.

Kim said the program would be largely self-managed by the vendor and described the sponsorship as “very hands off”: “We would just be the sponsor … They would pay us a small amount, and then they would manage it totally themselves,” Kim said. Board members asked whether the diploma would be the district’s and were told participating students would receive a state of Oregon diploma, not a Silverton High School diploma. Kim also said Everett School District had partnered with the program previously and, according to what she was told, that Everett did not see a drop in its graduation rate after partnering.

Board members asked for follow-up information on how a sponsorship would affect the district’s reported graduation rate and the proposed contract length and terms. One board member suggested checking Everett’s data directly: “Could we reach out to Everett kind of on the side and ask them, like, how it really went for them and how that affected their graduation rates?” a member asked. Kim said she would try to contact Everett and gather additional details for a later board meeting.

Why it matters: The sponsorship could provide district revenue tied to ADM while offering a pathway to diplomas for older students who need to finish requirements. Board members said they were cautious because Silver Falls currently reports a high graduation rate and low dropout rate, and they want to ensure any sponsor program would not adversely affect those metrics.

What’s next: Staff will gather more information on Everett’s experience, graduation-rate impacts and contract terms if the board wants a presentation from the vendor.