Fort Cherry eyes its own cyber school

By Dawn Goodman
Staff Writer
dgoodman@observer-reporter.com
McDONALD - Fort Cherry School District is considering running its own cyber school.
Superintendent Robert Dinnen told the school board Monday that there are a number of options the district can consider. Intermediate Unit 1 is investigating creating a cyber school for its participating schools.
However, Fort Cherry administrators envision the district running its own virtual school, Dinnen said. He said that could change if more review determines that is not the best option for the district.
The board already has some cyber foreign language classes taught by an outside agency, he said.
Next year, the district would like to have an extension of the traditional class, which would allow students to take traditional classes online if they can’t be in the classroom when the learning takes place. Dinnen said that could happen when there are scheduling conflicts for classes or in the alternative school.
By the 2011-12 school year, the district would like to have extra classes that are online. Dinnen said that would expand the curriculum offerings of the district.
By 2012-13, the district would like to have all classes online for those who want a cyber school option. Dinnen said that would allow students who attend other cyber schools to come back to the district for their education. It would also resolve scheduling conflicts and give for options for alternative education, he said.
Board member Elmo Cecchetti said he would like to see the program be implemented. However, he questioned if students would be prepared to take classes online instead of sitting in a classroom.
Board member James White said his children have taken the cyber foreign language classes and they spent time at the beginning learning how to take courses online.
Dinnen said the district would do that with other online courses.
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