Eastern board makes coaching appointments; receives report on Greene Academy

The Eastern Greene School Board's short agenda for their regular monthly meeting Monday evening included the appointment of a handful of extracurricular coaches.

In spring sports, Zach Harrison and Josh Avooske were approved as assistant baseball coaches and Ben Hutcherson as a volunteer assistant.

In fall sports, Bill Valentine was appointed as head coach of boys' cross country; Brian Spice as head coach of girls' cross country; and Gina Ingram as head volleyball coach.

Superintendent Ty Mungle introduced Mike Hennie, director of the Greene Academy, who gave a presentation to the board.

Mungle said the Academy, located on the White River Valley school campus, is the result of a collaboration between all five county schools.

Mike Hennie said the program first started a couple of years ago and provides a short-term learning situation for students who have been suspended from school and a longer-term situation for other students who are struggling, for various reasons, with traditional school.

Hennie said students in the alternative suspension program may attend the Academy for one day or more, possibly 10 days, depending on how long they've been suspended.

"Five Eastern Greene students are currently attending the Academy in the alternative suspension program, 11 were served in January and last semester, 47 spent time with us," said Hennie.

Hennie said one classroom, with a supervisor, is set aside for students in the program. They are given two 10-minute breaks and a 20-minute lunch, are required to work on school work and perform some regular maintenance chores around the school.

High school principal Kevin Franks said the program has been a major success so far and believes the school is seeing a reduction in suspensions due to the program.

Hennie said the regular Academy program, housed in a separate classroom outfitted with 25 computers and teachers, is geared for 13-16-year-old students.

Each of the five county students has five slots in the classroom; four students from Eastern currently attend.

Hennie said the students work on the same programs they would be working on in their regular school and are able to get credit for their work.

Students are transported to and from the Academy from their home schools and are at the Academy for six structured hours a day.

In addition to helping them with school work, the Academy attempts to help students recognize the importance of education to their future. They also stress community service.

Hennie said they are seeing successes.

Mungle said the Academy is something that the county schools could not have accomplished on their own.

"It's proof of what can be done when you work together," said Mungle.