Volunteers needed to discuss Waupaca school’s future

The Waupaca School District may create a charter or magnet school in 2018-19.

The first step will be to form a group of educators and local residents to explore possible alternatives.

“If people have an interest in being part of a discussion of non-traditional opportunities in education in the School District of Waupaca, we’d love to hear from them,” according to Waupaca District Administrator Greg Nyen.

Nyen said a magnet school is a public school that offers special instruction and programs not available elsewhere.

There are six magnet public schools in Wisconsin, serving 2,506 students.

A charter school, on the other hand, operates independently of the district where it is located. It may use its charter status to seek exemption from state mandates, such as testing requirements and the state’s school year.

In exchange for greater flexibility, charter schools are held to greater accountability for their results.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction, there are 44,343 students enrolled in 242 charter schools statewide.

“The School District of Waupaca wants to provide innovative learning experiences for our students,” Nyen said. “The district wants to remain a viable option not only for students who live in our boundaries but for students who live in nearby areas.”

Nyen noted that public school boundaries have been expanded by open enrollment, voucher programs and virtual education.

Some of the new opportunities other districts currently offer include STEM schools that focus on Science, technology, engineering and math, schools that focus on the arts, Farm to Table and Expeditionary Learning programs.

To participate in the group that will discuss and research opportunities for the Waupaca School District, contact Rhonda Hare, director of curriculum and instruction, call 715-258-4121 ext. 6007, email [email protected] or write 515 School St., Waupaca, WI 54981.