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Board weighs possible Orchard program transition into Monroe High as part of budget-saving plans
Summary
Administrators presented Orchard enrollment trends and described a potential shift of Orchard students and services into Monroe High's Trojan Academy contingent on staffing outcomes from the severance plan; they emphasized individualized reviews and safeguards for students.
District leaders outlined enrollment declines at Orchard (count-day enrollment reported at 83) and presented high-level ideas for consolidating Orchard services under Monroe High School's existing pathways if staffing and budget constraints make a separate Orchard site unsustainable. David (speaker 15) framed the proposal as contingent: "that is really the 1st domino to to fall to see what our staffing looks like," he said, noting any change would be followed by individualized student reviews and family conversations.
School leaders described Trojan Academy at Monroe High as a flexible, smaller-pathway model that has grown and can provide options such as credit recovery, hybrid virtual courses and targeted supports. Board members and public commenters raised concerns about student fit, community identity and the neighborhood-school role of Orchard: public commenter Carol Bolinberg (speaker 20), an Orchard assistant, urged the board to preserve Orchard's small-school environment, saying in part, "Being taught in person is such value to these kids."
District staff emphasized the plan is preliminary and that if the board opposes a site transition, other budget options remain. They asked board members to specify information needs before the April 13 follow-up so staff can return with data-driven scenarios and individualized transition plans.
