Chi works on ideas to lure students back to district schools

UPPER CHICHESTER >> The Chichester School District is in the process of discussing ways to bring students currently in alternative education, cyber and charter schools back to the district.

The school board, in a vote of 6-2, approved the creation of a special program, that would, in the words of Schools Superintendent Kathleen Sherman, “better meet the needs of the students and offer an improved education at less cost to district taxpayers.”

Board members Georgiana Montella and David Bartholf cast the votes of opposition.

Sherman said there are currently 100 Chichester students participating in-state cyber school programs and 10 pupils in the county alternative school. There are also countless numbers of students attending charter schools.

“We are interested in designing a program to bring students who are in alternative classes, charter and cyber schools back to the district, which will result in lowering costs,” Sherman said.

The approval by the board was necessary to pursue the program, which has been discussed, but not finalized.

In other matters, Director of Instructional Technology Steve Magliano presented a new computer application for parents, students and staff of an alert system, which will include news, bus routes, notifications, calendar, schools, administration, etc.

District staff will be trained prior to official implementation.

The district’s current official application can be downloaded for iPhone users on the iPhone store and for Android users at the Google Play Store at no charge by typing in “Chichester School District.”