Elkin City Schools’ digital Global Learning Academy (GLA) was the primary topic of discussion at a two-hour long special meeting of the Board of Education on Monday night. The board heard a presentation from GLA Principal Heath Foster and GLA teacher Lane Beshears as well as numerous comments from parents and students pleading for continuation of the program. The board did not make a decision on the e-learning academy Monday but did vote to end the Appalachian State University lab school program at Elkin City Schools which began last school year in 2022. The board voted unanimously to end the program on June 30 of this year.
Known as The Academy at Elkin, the second of its kind operated by ASU, was hailed with great pride when it first opened at the start of the 2022-23 school year. According to its website, “The Academy at Elkin is a learner-centered community that promotes exploration-based learning. Students are encouraged to think deeply and critically about learning that is meaningful and relevant to their culture, lives, and future.”
Former School Board Member Frank Beals, who was part of the leadership team that first instituted the program, mourned the loss.
”I’m just sad for the kids that were getting the extra nurturing care from our great educational institution of App State. It’s a loss that hurts my soul,” Beals said.
Only one person came forward during Monday’s public comment session to speak on behalf of the App Academy and she praised the program for the extra attention given to students, activities the kids were exposed to like more outside time in nature, yoga and mini-field trips.
No staff members or representatives from Appalachian spoke during the meeting but Chairman Richard Brinegar said they had met with Academy leaders and lawyers earlier in the day and came to a mutual decision to terminate the program at the end of this school year. Space issues were discussed at the Jan. 22 meeting of the school board where Superintendent Dr. Steve Hall said they had already requested use of one Academy classroom to be returned to use by the rest of the school.
Brinegar told The Tribune that space was the primary issue that prompted the decision.
”We have this unusual spurt of growth and we just don’t have the space for both entities together,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.”
”We’re trying to work out a smooth transition, the particulars, the kids, the staff,” he added.
In a statement following Monday’s meeting, Dr. Hannah Reeder, assistant dean of Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education and director of App State’s Lab Schools, said, “We have been in close communication with Academy staff to offer them resources and support throughout this process, and will continue to do so.”
”It has been our honor and privilege to work with the students and families of App State’s Academy at Elkin since 2022. We extend our sincerest thanks for the partnership we have shared with you in serving these bright, wonderful children,” she said.
Parents hit back at ‘passive aggressive’ comments about GLA students
While there was a lack of cheerleaders present to speak on behalf of The Academy, Elkin’s Global Learning Academy, called GLA by its students and families, had plenty. More than just cheering on the program and praising the opportunity, some parents and staff came out on the defensive after what they called “passive aggressive” comments they felt were demeaning towards some of the GLA students.
Parent Mark Waddell directly addressed comments made by School Board member Earl Blackburn at the Jan. 22 meeting saying, “they were disparaging and minimize the challenges some of these students endure every day.”
Waddell was referring to comments made by Blackburn at the previous school board meeting regarding students who don’t attend in-person school but do sometimes choose to take part in some social activities for GLA students.
”My question would be. . .if they can participate in other social events without fear of bullying, germs or whatever. . .why can’t they participate in . . .” Blackburn said, but was interrupted before he finished his sentence by a comment from someone in the audience.
Waddell chastised board members for “making light” of the situations of some of the GLA students.
”This is the sort of behavior that fuels and promotes the bullying and violence in our school system and communities,” Waddell said. He said it showed “lack of insight, compassion and empathy.”
In addition to the presentation he gave at the start of the meeting, GLA Principal Heath Foster also spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting in reference to comments made about GLA students participating in sports and social activities while doing remote learning. He said it helped to create a well-rounded educational experience and was a choice that was up to parents and families.
”I believe that parents and guardians should be actively involved in and have a voice in their learner’s education. I think that some of us have gotten so caught up in parent’s rights that we’ve forgotten that other parents might want a learning experience for their kids that doesn’t match some of your own plans and beliefs. Who are we to judge and/or deny an education that meets their needs.”
GLA student Madeline Robinson Kattis spoke in defense of the program as well.
”I want to keep GLA because most people are not as social as other people are in a public school and they struggle with finding, like, partners to do group work and stuff,” she said. “I am one of those people and I want to keep GLA open so I can do work by myself. Doing work by myself helps me improve as a better person.”
Amanda Robison, Madeline’s mother, spoke as well explaining that her daughter was Autistic and the in-person classroom setting was not suited for her.
”She didn’t speak until she was three,” Robinson explained. “In a busy classroom setting when all of the socializing is going on and all the different conversations, it’s really confusing to her.”
Robinson went on to say that her daughter tried to “act like a normal kid” while at in-person school and that it “broke her spirit.” She said a therapist recommended a remote learning option.
Robinson praised the GLA teachers and said the remote learning school was a wonderful option for students like her daughter and so many more that could benefit from it.
”You have something so amazing here,” Robinson said. “There’s a real opportunity for you.”
”I just think if you look at this as a broader opportunity to help the broader area of Northwestern North Carolina and the students here who are struggling with all of these different issues, not just bullying, not just anxiety, but students who are afraid to be who they are, then you would have an opportunity, out of district, to bring yourselves in a lot more funding and provide a safe situation for the greater community,” she said.
Jessica Germaine was another GLA parent who spoke in favor of keeping the GLA program. She said it would be a shame to take away the years invested in the program so far and this was an opportunity to grow the program. {span class=”print_trim”}(tncms-asset)150b0b14-c52e-11ee-893f-c72474fa8e13[2](/tncms-asset){/span}
”Elkin should be proud to say we are breaking ground on new ideas,” she said. “We are meeting students where they are.”
At the close of Monday’s meeting, School Board member Jennifer Kleinheksel thanked the staff and parents who spoke about the GLA program. She said it had helped her better understand the program. To the students who spoke she said “amazing, that speaks a lot of the program as well.”
School Board member Larry Wagoner also thanked Foster and Beshears for their presentation and getting the information to the board.
The board is expected to further address the Global Academy at its next meeting scheduled for Feb. 26.
To view recordings of the full board of education meetings visit elkincityschools.org and click on recordings under the Board of Education tab.
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