×

APS approves waiver application

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education gave the go-ahead for an application to give more freedom to the district when working with online course providers.

The move is expected to save the district money, according to officials.

At Monday’s board meeting Superintendent John VanWagoner provided background information into why the district wished to move forward with the application, which is referred to as Online Seat Time Waiver for grades 6-12.

VanWagoner said the district currently operates under a seat time waiver issued to the Genesee Intermediate School District. The Genesee ISD was given a blanket waiver to service the entire state of the service providers by the state superintendent, he said.

Through the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District, APS was able to use the waiver to allow students the ability to take more than two online classes while still remaining a student of the district. VanWagoner said a few years ago the state began allowing individual districts to apply for the waiver which would save the district money.

“One thing it allows you to do is essentially to be able to work directly with the course providers,” he said. “The same course providers that Genesee ISD was working through except you are essentially able to do it direct and you don’t pay the service fees to Genesee ISD.”

The district has filled out the application, which was sent to the state superintendent where it is pending approval. One of the prerequisites of the application was for the APS board to approve the seat time waiver.

VanWagoner told board members no major changes would occur if approved, with only the district being able to eliminate the service fees currently being charged.

The online classes are administered through APS’s Online Coordinator Craig Barrett. While students do not have to come to the school to do the online classes, Barrett connects with the students on a weekly basis to make sure there are no problems.

All of the classes administered by the district are taught through Michigan certified teachers and are aligned to meet the state content standards allowing students to receive their diplomas if they pass all the requirements.

Board President Gordon Snow asked VanWagoner to explain a new K-5 waiver the district may investigate once it begins next year.

“There are different elements where people have opinions on that,” VanWagoner said.

He cited medical problems for parents, a military family or other extenuating factors that may provide a basis for allowing the younger students the waiver. While not avilable yet, he said the district would investigate the different elements to see it is appropriate for the district.

If the district decided to move forward with the waiver it most likely would be during the summer months, VanWagoner said.

Board members unanimously approved the waiver application, which means the waiver now just needs to be approved by the state superintendent.

Tyler Winowiecki can be reached via email at twinowiecki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688. Follow Tyler on Twitter tw_alpenanews. Read his blog, Just a Thought … at www.thealpenanews.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today