Bedford Co. Delays Online School Proposal
By Courtney Cutright, The Roanoke Times, Va.
Mar. 14–BEDFORD — The Bedford County School Board voted to postpone action on a proposed virtual school at Thursday evening’s board meeting, making the decision before hearing a scheduled presentation on the project.
Superintendent James Blevins and a team of school officials are proposing the online school to teach public school students beginning in 2008-09.
School board member Joy Wright, who represents the Stewartsville District, made a motion to move the presentation from the action portion of the agenda to the informational section. The motion was approved unanimously.
“I just think we need to hear of the interest before we move on it,” Wright said.
Moneta District representative Talbot Huff said he was unprepared to act on the proposal, stating he was not even aware of the proposal until he was contacted by the media earlier this week.
Huff made a second motion to prevent K12.com, the company selected by school officials to offer the Web-based curriculum, from making a presentation to the board because the vendor was not selected through a competitive bidding process.
“I am not comfortable from a legal point,” Huff said.
His motion failed by a 4-2 vote. Montvale District representative Shirley McCabe joined Huff in the vote. Board members David Black and Debbie Hoback were absent.
After hearing the presentation from school officials and K12.com, the board authorized the mailing of a letter to parents of the county’s home schooled students to gauge interest in a virtual school. Blevins will brief the board on the responses April 24, and the board then may consider approving the project.
“This is a very unique thing as far as education goes,” Blevins said.
The program, which can be used as an alternative to home schooling, could generate revenue for the school system if enough students enroll. School officials said a minimum of 30 students would have to enroll to break even the first year; costs are offset by state reimbursements.
“I don’t think we are going to have a problem meeting that bare minimum,” said Victor Gosnell, the county schools’ director of technology and media.
The virtual school curriculum would be offered at no cost to students residing in Bedford County. Blevins estimates there are 550 home schooled students in the county. The first year the program would be offered to students in kindergarten through eighth grades. A high school curriculum and a course in Latin would be added the second year.
Bedford would be the first county in Western Virginia to offer the K12.com curriculum. Nelson and Pittsylvania counties operate virtual schools using the curriculum.
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