Quick Hits: School Board OKs Online High School Option

The West Bloomfield School District Board of Education approved an intergovernmental agreement with Oakland Schools at its meeting Monday at .

The new program known as Widening Advancements for Youth (WAY) is a collaborative effort with Oakland Schools designed to provide an entirely online path to graduation for those students who have difficulty physically attending school, according to Superintendent JoAnn Andrees. WAY was initially approved in early September by Oakland Schools.

Registration will be completed by Oct. 5, and at least one student will be enrolled after leaving the district for another district with a similar online program. Andrees said that the timing of registration coincides with "count date," Oct. 3, the time in which the district reports its enrollment figures to to the state of Michigan for the purpose of aid. Andrees added that the county faces challenges of competition from similarly structured projects in Washtenaw County and out of state.

“I’ve talked with other superintendents, up to 28 superintendents who are bringing this program to their board, to their community, and some of them have as many as three or four (students participating). It’s one opportunity for students who may not fit our initial program to complete this diploma for graduation,” Andrees said.

Andrees said the cost to the district is $6,500 after receiving a portion of total enrollment from the state of Michigan as part of its foundation allowance.

“It’s not an economic situation,” said Vice President Bruce Tobin. “We’re not trying to save the value of a dollar, we’re trying to save the life of a child.”

The vote was unanimous, 6-0.

Quick hits

• was presented with a Star Certificate for charitable donations to and
• students from every school in the district were given medals for participation in the West Bloomfield Library's S.

• Andrees was presented with an award from WBHS Principal and Keego Harbor Optimist Club president Tom Shelton for Optimist of the Year.