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"We are simply looking at establishing an option for those students in the area who have failed to earn a diploma on time or those who are not on track to graduate in four years," said USA High School Principal George Rierson. "This program would be neither residential nor designed to focus on adjudicated youth." "We simply believe that we continue to have a responsibility to reach out and educate our youth even if they struggled early in their high school," he added.

He said young people mature at different rates and someone who did not see a purpose for education when they are 14 looks at life differently when they are 16, 17 or 18.

"The Superintendent of Schools for the State of Michigan, Michael Flanagan, in his latest monthly pod cast, spoke of the need to focus on relationships with students. He cited recent surveys of students who drop out that indicate that the leading causes of leaving school are relationship based."

"This is why we (the school board) felt that we would needed to explore leadership of the program first by posting a position."

Rierson added if the school board cannot find the individual who has demonstrated an ability to build

relationships with diverse students, then we will not attempt to have a program.

"That is how strongly we feel about the relationship piece being crucial for the success of these students and thus any program we would offer," he said.

He said the school officials know that there are students who have needed a program like this for the last few years. So rather than have them out in our neighborhoods without the education necessary to become

productive members of our communities, we should get an option for them as soon as possible.

"It would be a shame to leave these students without a different option for the upcoming school year."

"We are part of the Tuscola Intermediate School District, which does not offer an alternative program, although Caro Community Schools does have a program called GOAL," he said.

"We have had some students attend the GOAL program in Caro," he said. "Some have been successful and others are still working on completing their program... those students would have the option to continue attending the program in Caro or seek to enroll in our program."

To the best of Rierson's knowledge, this program falls within the rights of local school districts to provide

what is appropriate for students.

The educational program would likely be modeled after others who are having success in alternative education. Such programs offer some teacher led and some on-line instruction, combined with a career-technical education option. One of the challenges of every educational program is the NCLB requirement that instruction be delivered by highly qualified teachers. Offering some courses through on-line learning activities that fulfill the NCLB requirement provide us flexibility for delivering high quality instruction for small numbers of students.

The school board has discussed the intake process for our program that would include student participation

and a commitment from the applicant to participate productively in the learning community that the school creates.

He added a zero tolerance policy for aggressive behaviors would be in place.

"The students whom we have spoken with express their desire to have a program that allows them to move quickly through graduation requirements free from distractions," he said.

"It is possible that not all students who apply for entry into a program at USA will be suited for the program that we hope to create," he added.

The school board will continue to research and investigate the possibility of this program.