Parents with students planning to attend summer school could end up paying the full price for those courses.
Allegheny Valley School District administrators on Tuesday recommended that school directors change the district's policy regarding summer school costs — from paying the bulk of it to paying nothing. The change would apply to students who need remediation and those looking to get ahead.
School directors are expected to vote on the issue later this month.
Historically, the district offered summer school courses for secondary students at Springdale Junior-Senior High School. The practice changed in 2010 when the district started sending students to Communities in Schools in Springdale, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students stay in school.
Over the past two summers, the district paid $150 of the $200 per course cost for students. Superintendent Cheryl Griffith said it has become tough to justify the expense largely because teachers and administrators offer tutoring and other assistance during the school year to students who risk failing a class.
"I believe we do our due diligence to make students successful," high school Principal Josh Weaver said of efforts made during the regular school year.
Griffith noted many other districts in Allegheny County no longer pay for summer school costs. About a dozen districts she surveyed reported abandoning the practice, she said.
While not saying how school directors plan to vote, board President Larry Pollick indicated he would rely heavily on the administrators' recommendation.
"It wouldn't be as though we got to that point without addressing their needs," he said of students who might fail to meet course requirements.
Administrators said the cost of paying for summer learning last year exceeded $3,000.
District spokeswoman Jan Zastawniak said students can attend the summer school program of their choice although administrators recommend Community in Schools.
Additional Information:Coming up
Who: Allegheny Valley School Board
What: Planned vote to eliminate paying for summer school.
When: 7 p.m., March 19.
Where: Acmetonia Primary School forum, Pearl Avenue, Harmar.
