LAKE COUNTY–The Konocti school board has unanimously approved establishing a new continuation high school to serve students who have not been successful in other educational settings. Highlands High School is anticipated to open Aug. 20, with the application subject to approval by the California Department of Education.
“The school colors are going to be blue and red tartan,” said Dr. Bill MacDougall, who begins serving a three-year contract as Konocti superintendent July 1, 2008.
A resolution that came before the board on Wednesday, June 18, is a required component in the application package, which Konocti is submitting to the CDE. Official minutes note that trustees voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
The application reports that KUSD has one Model Continuation High School, W.C. Carl? High School in Lower Lake, which has increased in size yet has had a constant waiting list for the past decade.
“Carl?”s current facilities cannot house additional students nor provide the services needed for students with severe absenteeism or disciplinary infractions. The new continuation high school will primarily serve involuntarily transferred students,” the application states. “It will have additional counseling staff to address the District”s burgeoning gang and substance abuse issues.”
Highlands High School will house involuntary transfers, socially-promoted 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds deficient in credits and appropriate students on waiting lists. Each student, upon enrollment, will prepare a personal learning plan with his or her parent and counselor/administrator. The curriculum will address each student”s academic deficiencies while promoting healthy life choices.
The application can be viewed online at https://konocti.csbaagendaonline.net/ under the meeting agenda for Wednesday, June 18.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
