LHSD Opportunity School proving a success

LOGAN - A number of progress reports were made during the October regular meeting of the Logan-Hocking School Board of Education, including the newly implemented Opportunity School, located on Chieftain Drive.

Logan High School Assistant Principal Rob Ramage has recently taken on the role of director for the new program, and he provided an update on what the program has done so far during the meeting. The Opportunity School offers students facing expulsion an alternative and continues their education within the local district.

"Before, we would expel students for a year or more in some cases and, even though they had the opportunity to do class work through the digital school, most of the time they wouldn't. So, when they come back, they're a year older, a year behind, and more likely to repeat what got them expelled in the first place," Ramage said. "This gives them the chance to continue their education while also keeping the general public of the student body safe."

Superintendent Monte Bainter, who helped create the program, added that the benefits of the program are two-fold, as the district is retaining students and continuing to educate them, and it has also helped the district save $73,000 by keeping them in the district.

Although it is a new program for the district, students have already begun to take advantage of it; there were 10 students attending full time in October, with more expected to join the program. Ramage shared that one student who chose to attend the new program has now gained senior status after putting in the work in the first two months to earn the necessary credits.

"This student was losing out with the other program, and she really buckled down when she was given a chance at the Opportunity School," Ramage noted. "She's actually earned credits in such a short amount of time that she is in line to participate in our post-secondary program next semester and possibly graduate this May."

While Ramage and the board acknowledged that not every student would be able to return to the larger student body, some will be given that chance. A procedure has already been put in place for a student to express interest in returning to the main building, and a committee of administrators, counselors, a court representative, and teachers will decide if the request will be granted or not.

"I think this is the great program, but I think that recidivism should be one of the determinants for the success of it, over time," Dr. John Woltz, school board member, remarked.

So far, the program has been a general success, but the board did address the topic of discipline. LHS principal Ken Dille shared that the authority of the School Resource Officers, both Logan City policeman, only goes so far when dealing with issues at the Opportunity School, which is outside of the city limits.

Dille shared that this had been made apparent when the administration was forced to address an issue of a student overdosing while at school. While Dille acted as the administrator in that situation, Officer Dan Campbell was unable to assist further, since the school is out of the city's jurisdiction. However, an issue of tobacco use was also discovered, which Campbell was able to address.

"At this time, if there is something that will require the presence of law enforcement, such as drugs, Officer Campbell cannot assist me in that capacity - I have to wait for the Sheriff's Office," Dille explained. "However, if it is something like a tobacco issue, which we have had, Officer Campbell is able to help me with that in the capacity of a school resource officer."

Members of the board expressed their concern about the arrangement, and questioned if there might be a better solution for addressing things at the school. Woltz remarked that becoming a School Resource Officer requires additional training, and that the school district cannot require a member of law enforcement to become one.

"The main thing is that our students are receiving an education and the structure that they need," board member Corby Leach stated.

Bainter agreed with the board and noted that he would continue the conversation between the various parties until an arrangement can be made that will keep the students safe, while also respecting the proper jurisdictions. The superintendent is expected to report back to the board during this month's regular meeting.