The future of Turning Point Academy’s 6-8 program was decided during the Emporia School District’s regular meeting Wednesday evening.
The TPA Advisory Council recently met and discussed their options and desires for the 6-8 program in the midst of potential redesigns of William Allen White and Logan Avenue. The ultimate desire expressed by the council was to see the program continue through May 2019, after which it will be discontinued.
Superintendent Kevin Case says there was a desire to continue the program through the 2019-2020 school year, however, dwindling enrollment numbers made that option less feasible.
Board members voted to discontinue the program effective May 2019. TPA students will transition to Emporia Middle School at the start of the 2019-2020 school year.
Turning Point began in the 2007-08 school year as a charter school under the umbrella of the district before being integrated into William Allen White in 2015.
The board’s decision affects only the 6-8 program as the K-5 program will continue.
In other business faculty members of Logan Avenue and William Allen White were also on hand to present their draft proposals for academic redesign. The redesign would focus on social-emotional and project-based learning.
William Allen White Principal Tell Kirk says in terms of the why behind the redesign, staff members have multiple reasons, but there is one that seems to be universally shared.
Ideas presented by both schools included school songs, community buddies, peer to peer teaching, increasing daily school family time, creating throwback lunches and social-emotional goal setting. Both schools will return to the board with their final redesign proposals on Dec. 12 when the board is expected to render their decision.
Also during the meeting, the board recognized the individual achievement of EHS students Haley Weiss for her recent state championship in gymnastics and Isabelle Alvarado for being named a 2018 National Merit Scholar. The board also recognized Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas career specialists Ali Macias and Rigo Agguire for their leadership at Emporia High School.
Three executive sessions also took place to evaluate Superintendent Case and his performance. No action was taken.
The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12 at Mery Herbert Education Center.
