Clarkston school district has an expanded open-enrollment program after approval by the Board of Education.
The school board voted 5-1 at Monday’s meeting to approve a Stars and Stripes Magnet Program, a partnership with the Stars and Stripes Gymnastics center in Independence Township.
Board Vice President Susan Boatman voted against the proposal, saying it seems to discriminate against other businesses and sports programs.
“There are lots of other sports and activities falling into the same boat as this,” Boatman said. “Why couldn’t they get physical education credit, too?”
Boatman was also concerned with a provision to provide a certified Clarkston teacher to the after-school program.
“My concern is we’d be paying a teacher to essentially babysit,” she said.
The program will provide a sixth-period physical education class for up to 45 high-caliber, level-five-or-above gymnasts in grades 6-12. They will be bused to the center on White Lake Road, which will fund the transportation. At least 30 will come from outside the Clarkston district.
Board President Steve Hyer, Secretary Craig Hamilton, and trustees Elizabeth Egan, Kelli Horst, and Cheryl McGinnis voted for the program.
“We have a long history of doing the best we can to accomodate students and provide choices to pursue elite athletic status,” McGinnis said. “I look forward to going through a year of the pilot and examining other potential opportunities for students and families to pursue.”
Hamilton said he is disappointed a policy hasn’t been prepared yet to deal with future partnership proposals from businesses.
“If another business approaches us, I’d like to have had a clear path so we can say, ‘we’re not doing this because we like Stars and Stripes,'” he said.
Hyer said they can work on a policy.
“This is something that may or may not continue depending on how it goes,” he said.
Speaking during public comment, Bradley Jernigan of Davisburg said he was disappointed in the decision.
“My concern is, my son doesn’t do gymnastics ? this is using my tax dollars to send someone I don’t know to gymnastics camp,” Jernigan said. “I don’t think it’s fair.?
Deputy Superintendent Shawn Ryan said the program is not exclusive to Stars and Stripes.
“We’re open to discussions with other entities in the future,” Ryan said.
Partnerships in football, basketball, and other sports is limited, however, due to Michigan High School Athletic Association rules against out-of-district recruiting and other regulations.
The gymnastics partnership is expected to bring in net revenue of $41,210-$106,220, depending on enrollment.
The school board voted unanimously to approve a Alternative Education Program for students in grades 6-7.
Based at Renaissance High School, the program would have space for up to 24 out-of-district and 10 in-district at-risk students, starting in the 2016 school year.
Total revenue would be up to $81,500.