New School Program Is An Alternative To Expulsion

LINCOLN — Lincoln High School is offering a new program this year as an alternative to expulsion to help students stay on grade level and graduate on time.

The School Board voted to expel five students at its Sept. 25 meeting, all on drug-related issues. Administrators presented the alternative program to those students and their parents.

To meet requirements of the program, a student being expelled and a parent must sign a contract agreeing to the terms of the alternative to expulsion. The contract is also signed by the high school principal and assistant principal, superintendent and all five board members.

“This puts the ball in their court,” said Superintendent Mary Ann Spears. “They can do it if they choose to.”

Spears said the district got the idea for the alternative program from another school. With online courses available, she said it is

“We just want our kids to be successful, even if they make a mistake.”

Deon Birkes Lincoln High School assistant principal

much easier now for students to stay on task and make up work.

The contract is effective for one year. If a student signs up for the program and fails to meet its requirements, the result would be immediate expulsion until the following year.

Deon Birkes, Lincoln High School assistant principal, said the program provides an alternative to students, but still gives them consequences for their actions.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Birkes said, adding, “We just want our kids to be successful, even if they make a mistake. This is offering them something — that if they want to work, they can work and get caught up.”

Students who agree to participate in the program are given their own individual education plan, based on what they need for the year. Online courses are taken through Virtual Arkansas, a program implemented through a partnership between Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas Education Service Cooperatives.

Birkes said students work on their virtual classes off-campus because they are not allowed to be on school grounds. Students can receive help through video conferencing or by emailing teachers.

Requirements include passing a weekly drug screening upon request, making daily progress on their courses, finishing each packet of work for each week in accordance with their individual education plan, completing individual and family counseling approved by the school at the student’s expense, and meeting with a school staff member each week at a designated place off campus.

Students in the program are not allowed to attend any school events on the high school campus or at any of the other school buildings in the district during the contract period.

A staff member with Lincoln schools will monitor students who participate to make sure they are meeting the terms of the agreement.