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An innovative plan to reorganize Cape High into six academies has won the support of the Cape Henlopen school board.
Cape Henlopen Superintendent George Stone told the board he needed board consensus to move forward with the plan to offer students classes in six career-oriented curriculum areas. By the end of the Thursday, Sept. 25 board presentation, board Vice President Dr. Peter Coveleski said, “I think you have your consensus.”
Proposed as a plan to retain and attract students and improve district test scores, Stone’s initiative calls for establishing academies - for theatre arts, health and human services, military and law enforcement, business and finance, environmental studies and international studies - within the high school. To bolster the plan, Stone calls for better use of technology and promoting community partnerships.
Developed in conjunction with district staff and high school Principal John Yore, the plan includes giving each entering ninth-grader a laptop in an effort to close the technology gap and improve technology skills of all students.
Stone said moving 2 cents of tax per $100 of assessed property value from a debt service account into another account would generate $200,000 a year to help pay for the initiative. He also will seek private and corporate grants. Stone said the high school could be reorganized by reallocating current resources and not by increasing taxes to property owners.
Hospital, college on board
Stone said Beebe Medical Center is ready to help with the health and human services academy, and the University of Delaware College of Marine and Earth Studies in Lewes might also partner with the school.
Planning is still in its early stages, and Stone said the district might call on local legislators to help navigate anticipated roadblocks at the Department of Education pertaining to outside professionals coming in to teach courses.
Board President Stell Parker Selby has often remarked that Cape used to be a top state school. She said the community will support the high school as it makes improvements. Reaction to the academy idea thus far has been positive, she said.
Parker Selby said with this plan the district office is on a roll, but she still wants to see results.
Board member Gary Wray said the district needs a premier academic program for its premier high school, scheduled to open in 2010. He suggested investigating expanding the academies idea into the middle schools, so parents of middle schoolers would keep their children in the district.
Students leave district
Stone said each year, the district loses many good students to home schooling, Sussex Technical High School, Worcester Preparatory School and the Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The academies plan would realign the high school curriculum so students could take classes in an academy area of special interest. It would require reallocation of current staff and resources. Stone said he hopes community members, businesses and other organizations will assist in teaching specialized courses.
The plan originated in response to growing frustration at lackluster test scores and accountability.
The development of the theatre arts academy at the school, under the direction of Ken Skrzesz of Clear Space Productions inspireD the broad outline of the larger program, said Stone. This year, two theater classes are being offered; the district plans to add a third one next year.
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