Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Thursday, May 08, 2008
Holmen School District to look at possibly opening first charter school
HOLMEN, Wis. — Holmen Middle School students could have a choice in education if the school board opts to open the district’s first charter school this fall.
Board members plan to look at a charter school implementation grant and contract for Ventures Charter School at its Monday meeting, said Sandy Richert, district director of instructional services.
A decision is expected at the May 27 board meeting, Richert said.
Ventures would offer students in sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grades a project-based learning environment, said Holmen Middle School Principal Lisa Snyder.
It would be in the Holmen Middle School building, and charter school students would have two to three teachers to help them complete coursework at individual workstations, Snyder said. They also would be required to take state tests and follow district curriculum.
A lead teacher will serve as the charter school’s administrator, Snyder added.
“It will be very student-centered and very open to (designing) their future,” she said.
Ventures would have up to 50 students in the 2008-09 school year and 80 to 90 the next year, Richert said. About 25 families already have shown interest.
Planning for a charter school began in 2006, and the school district was awarded $50,000 in Wisconsin charter school planning grants this spring.
Implementation grants, which are due to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on June 1, likely would provide about $150,000 annually to the district and are renewable for two years, Snyder said.
The funds would be used to buy technology and other start-up necessities, she said.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
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