By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

Implementation of a new program aimed at targeting students who work and may be at risk of dropping out of school will be discussed by the Joplin R-8 Board of Education during a meeting Tuesday night.

The Eagle Flex program would allow students to stay “engaged with high school while also working,” according to the agenda for the board meeting.

Initial costs for implementation would include one teacher’s salary at $46,000; an aide’s salary at $16,000, and software and material resources for approximately $20,000. The report states that funds are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as well as local grants.

The program is the result of legislation approved last spring to target alternative programs for at-risk students that encourage them to graduate from high school. The goal is to increase the graduation rate for Joplin High School to 87 percent in five years.

According to the report, the program is open to juniors and seniors who must attend a minimum of two instructional hours per school day; pursue a timely graduation; and provide evidence of college or technical-career education enrollment and attendance, or proof of employment and labor that is aligned with the student’s career academic plan.

They must also maintain a 95 percent attendance rate, and avoid expulsion or suspension.

In other business, the board:

n Will hear a presentation about the district’s 2008-2009 audit report from a representative of DLM Inc.

n Will approve a recommendation via consent agenda from Superintendent C.J. Huff to accept the retirement of Stephen Doerr, assistant superintendent of educational operations. Doerr has been with the district since 2002.

n Is expected approve on the consent agenda a change order to the North Middle School renovation project that would add $33,943. The costs include removing an old boiler, adding additional sidewalks and a retention pond, and adding steel beams to support stage rigging.