JACKSON Tenn (March 13, 2015) — With many details still unknown about a proposed Jackson Madison County Early College High School the board voted 8-1 to authorize Verna Ruffin’s budget to proceed.
After the meeting, Dave Bratcher had these comments “Often times when we make decisions we don’t always have all the information because things are continuing to take shape. What we do know though is for our folks that are in high school to be career and college ready we need to always be looking for new ways to help that happen.”
The board approved a budget of the anticipated costs for the next four years. The first year 125 high school freshman are expected to enroll. Each year as a grade advances another grade will be added. Ruffin estimates the program will cost $296,000 in the first year. It will increase with each added grade.
We still don’t know where the program will be based, the application process, although we do know it won’t be based on GPA. We still have to learn if there will be a principal or if an existing high school principal will be in charge. No word on athletic eligibility for students who transfer to the ECHS. These details will come from the Superintendent’s office.
Student’s who graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree will not be eligible for Governor Haslam’s “Tennessee Promise” program which offers two free years of community college.
According to Dr Ruffin, a high school student could graduate with their diploma and an associate’s degree or two years college. Students could also choose to pursue certification in one of four fields.
Ruffin says the program is designed to make high school students college or career ready. Currently enrollment is capped at 125 students per grade year
Bob Alvey is the only board member who voted against approval. Alvey said he is not opposed to ECHS but he does believe the dollars should be spent first on much-needed teaching resources.
In other action the board passed the 2015-16 school calendar, Students will begin the 2015 school year with 1/2 day of school on August 3.
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