ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL READY TO OPEN IN CAPE

Cape Girardeau students considering dropping out of high school have another choice: an alternative school program.

The new program, aimed at keeping students in school, could start next week if all goes as planned. Applications are available for students at the high school office.

Sheldon Tyler will be recommended as a teacher and director of the alternative school at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.

"This is an alternative school; not an easy school," Tyler said. "Students who are applying should know it will be challenging. But it will be a different type of instruction; for one thing, we will have a smaller student-teacher ratio."

Two additional teachers have been selected and will be employed if 30 students enroll.

Central High School Principal Dan Tallent said Tyler's experience working with troubled youths qualifies him for the job. Tyler worked as a teacher at the Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Detention Center. He has also been employed by the Caring Communities Project.

"Sheldon is well known in the community and has worked with several of the other agencies already," Tallent said.

The alternative school is the product of collaborative work by many community agencies. It is funded by a grant from the Department of Social Services.

Tyler said that in his work with troubled students he has seen a need for a different type of classroom program, and the alternative school should fulfill the need.

Students admitted to the program will go through an application-interview process. "Parents have to be directly involved," Tyler said.

The classroom program will last half a day. Tyler hopes to include a work component in the program.

The alternative school will be in the Salvation Army's new building at 701 Good Hope.

The Salvation Army recently hired a community service director, Scott Porter, who has added GED and adult-basic-education classes at the Salvation Army building.

Tyler said the alternative school was a natural extension for the Salvation Army's program as well as the school district.