As the 2015-2016 school year draws to a close, District 117 has started preparing for the arrival of up to 140 students from 8 Points Charter.
District 117 board members rejected the charter school’s contract proposal in December. Assistant Superintendent Dana Kinley says District 117 has reached out to welcome 8 Points students and parents over the past few weeks.
“We have had a letter go out from the superintendent to the parents of 8 Points. Our principals also sent out an email to those parents for the children who are possibly coming back into the school district. Turner hosted an event last week where 8 Points parents and children could see what is being offered at Turner.”
Kinley says District 117 has a general idea of where each 8 Points Charter student would go.
“Those students in 5th grade at charter would go into the sixth grade school near where they reside. All of the students that would be entering 7th and 8th grade would enter Turner. The students currently in 8th grade would filter back to JHS.”
Kinley isn’t expecting District 117 to hire additional teachers to accommodate the new students. Kinley says a final decision on extra staff will be made once registration numbers are in.
“We have some low class sizes, but for the most part, 140 students coming back into the district will not require the hiring of additional teachers. We want to ensure all of our students have access to all the support systems that will make them successful.”
Online registration for the upcoming school year starts May 1st and on-site registration at District 117 schools runs on August 2nd and 3rd.