Frazier not to participate
PERRYOPOLIS – The Frazier School District will not participate in a cyber services pilot program being implemented next year by Intermediate Unit 1, but supported the goal to bring students back into their respective Fayette County school districts. School directors on Thursday discussed the logistics behind the Kids + Integrated Technology = Success (KITS) cyber services pilot program during a work session, noting they were hesitant for the district to make a commitment at this time.
According to Dr. Dennis Spinella, superintendent, the program is aimed at convincing parents that the KITS program is comparable to the courses being offered through charter and cyber charter schools, which more and more students are enrolling in each year.
While the I.U. is looking for eight school districts to participate in the program, that comes with a $5,000 membership fee, Spinella was hesitant for Frazier to be a part of the consortium because there is no guarantee that students would switch.
“The biggest concern is accountability,” said Bill Vargo, board president.
Patricia Thomas, curriculum and federal grants supervisor, said KITS is mirrored after the Allegheny I.U. Cyber/Charter School, which has been operating for the last five years.
As a smaller school district, Thomas said Frazier would be taking a risk at losing the $5,000 by not recouping the fee if no students enrolled in KITS.
Tom Shetterly, business manager, said Frazier spends about $139,000 per year for cyber school tuition, amounting to $7,100 per student, while only being reimbursed $25,000 from the state.
The I.U. stated that KITS Cyber Services is not a charter or cyber charter school, but offers a menu of online options or services to school districts that would become members such as a complete cyber curriculum, computer systems and tech services for at-home students and a targeted online curriculum.
In addition, KITS would enable students to remain enrolled in their home school district, while it is designed to reduce the district’s loss of state reimbursement and federal funding.
The I.U. stated the program also facilitates a blended education of online and traditional school-based education options, along with districts taking ownership in the program.
As a member in the program, the $5,000 fee would: pay for the support of management, coordination and clerical staff that would be responsible for devising a plan for district implementation, access consortium pricing for classes, coordinate online curriculum with guidance and special education departments, consult with student and families on course selection, assist in enrollment, train staff and students and provide hardware and software support.
Spinella said within the next five year all students most likely will be required to take at least one cyber class to graduate.
In an unrelated matter, school directors agreed at a special meeting prior to the work session to solicit bids for the removal and construction of 2,350 feet of sidewalk surrounding the basketball and tennis courts.