By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
June 21, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

SEBEWAING ‹ An “alternative education” option might be available to Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District youths this fall.

“Offering an alternative education program is something that we’ve been studying,” said middle school Principal Mark Gainforth. “It’s a program for kids who struggle in a (traditional) classroom, and for those who fall between the cracks.

“It would give them an alternative opportunity to get their high school diploma.”

Although the program hasn’t been officially approved, the district has posted the position.

“We want to know if we have anyone in the district who is interested in working in this program. That’s one step,” said high school Principal George Rierson. “Also, we’ve talked to some kids who dropped out over the last couple of years to see if they would be interested in coming back if we did offer such a program.”

There are a variety of alternative education programs in the area. USA officials visited one operated by the North Branch School District.

“The one in North Branch won a state award a few years ago and we wanted to see how it operated,” said Rierson. “We also visited one in Sanilac County, and attended some workshops on alternative education.”

The goal of the alternative education program is to help all students to be successful.

“Whether we offer the program or not won’t be decided until July. We have to find someone to run it, and have enough students to make it worthwhile,” said Rierson. “The board will give a thumbs up or down next month once we know those things.”

If one is approved, it is believed it would be the first alternative education program the district offered.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.