By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Student behavior challenges in Junction City High School and City Middle School have led officials to look at creation of a grades 6-12 alternative program at the H.D. Karns Building. Dr. Reginald Eggleston, USD 475 Superintendent, noted that District officials have been meeting to discuss the structure that needs to be in place to receive these students moving forward. "I know that it's been a heavy load for one person to deal with the behavior problems that we currently have there and so, in addition to that, needing the positions in order to provide academic services to those students."
Interim Director of Student Support Service, Thomas Wesoloski, informed the school board Tuesday night that there have been more discipline issues than in the past. "This year especially, we have had lots of students that get sent to the Karns Building that have had some major offenses at their home schools, City Middle and Junction City High School. "
Wesoloski noted with one administrator at the Karns Building it is difficult when there is major action occurring in one part of the building and no one to cover the other part of the facility. He added that officials believe it's time to put an assistant principal in the building to provide safety and extra help.
The school board has approved the addition of an assistant principal and four core teachers at the Karns Building.
Wesoloski said the four core teachers are for sixth through eighth grade students that will be taken in. He added that it will be primarily behavior students that are going to be attending the Karns Building. "To have those teachers in their content areas to teach the academics, the curriculum that's used at the two middle schools, is important to have those teachers there."