After receiving a special offer from the Edison Learning, the MVR-III School District will offer all-day summer school in 2013.
Due to lack of state funding, the district opted out of the all-day summer school program for the past two years and offered only basic remedial studies to summer school students.
After a discussion with Edison, Meramec Valley will reinstate the popular program that offers homework-free learning and incentives to students.
Reporting at the Jan. 16 school board meeting, Supt. Randy George said the district had decided not to offer the summer education program for the last two years but revisited the issue after Edison proposed incentives to the school district to bring it back into the all-day program.
“We asked the basic question, ‘Is it good for kids?’ ” George said.
In addition to receiving the state ADA funds for the students enrolled in the program, Edison Learning will fund summer school transportation 100 percent.
If state funding reduces summer school funding before the summer program starts the district has several options.
If funding is 15 percent less than full ADA reimbursement, Edison will cover the shortage. If the reduction is higher than 15 percent, the district can negotiate with the summer school provider. If funds are totally cut to zero, the district can opt out of the program up to one day before classes begin.
Edison also offered Meramec Valley a signing incentive of $20,000.
In addition, the firm offered the district a three-year agreement on that basis, but George said he proposed opting for the one year.
The summer journey program has been popular with Meramec Valley students and parents for its hands-on projects, homework-free learning and incentives to attend.
“The students and parents like the program,” said Joel Cracchiolo, MVR-III business manager. “It’s also good for the economy because it offers an extra income for teachers and cooks who are normally nine-month employees.
“This puts money back into our economy,” Cracchiolo added.
With board member Mike Wells absent, the board voted 6 to 0 to approve the all-day summer school.
