Supt. Bryan Johnson
Supt. Bryan Johnson said Thursday the county schools plan to add as many as three more alternative schools to deal with discipline issues.
He said the county schools are also adding more Bridge classrooms where students with special issues will get personalized help. The schools last year had seven such classrooms and are expanding to 12.
Supt. Johnson said of the alternative schools, "We plan to add a second and possibly a third and a fourth."
He said one new alternative school may be in place by the second semester.
The superintendent said the need is for an alternative school closer to where a number of disciplinary problems have occurred. The lone alternative school currently - Washington Alternative School - is out on Hancock Road in the Highway 58 area.
On the Bridge classes, the goal is to have 5-8 students in the classes. A certified teacher and an assistant will be in each classroom. There are five behavioral coaches available to help.
Board member Joe Smith said he envisions a team of specialists aiding the students, including meeting their medical needs. He said, "We need to wrap these kids with all these services within the educational environment.
"We need to emphasize that these children matter and they are not throw-aways."