Cape's alternative school gets permanent home

After years of receiving hand-me-down supplies and moving from location to location, teachers at the Alternative Education Center have found a permanent home.

A new 16,681-square-foot, $1.57 million facility was unveiled to the public Wednesday.

"Everything is new, and everything is clean, and everything is up-to-date. We belong," teacher Joyce Barylski said.

The building features a small library, the first in the center's 13-year existence, as well as upgraded computers, projector capabilities in every room and new furniture. Busing service will be provided for the first time.

"This is just the pinnacle of facilities. Every time we've moved it's been an upgrade," teacher Randy Barnhouse said.

Formerly in the old Schultz School, the center now resides at 330 N. Spring Ave. It is connected to the district's administrative offices in renovated and expanded space. The offices previously were home to a vocational school; when administrators moved in, the extra space was used for storage.

While the center will have less overall space than at the old location, director Carla Fee said the building is designed more efficiently. A major plus is that middle and junior high students will kept "somewhat segregated" from high school students, she said.

Beginning in January, the center started accepting fifth- and sixth-graders and now serves about 120 students in grades five to 12. Students are recommended to the center for academic or behavioral reasons. Students can also attend while serving suspensions or come after school to catch up on credits.

The new facility will be more cost-efficient to operate than the aging Schultz School at 101 S. Pacific St. The school was sold to developer Chad Hartle for $1.7 million and will become senior housing.

Construction on the center began in January, with Sides Construction as the contractor and Philip Smith the architect. Teachers scurried Wednesday to prepare for the first day of school today, while workers put the finishing touches on the building and installed a bell system.

The school holds 12 classrooms, each with one wall painted a splash of blue, green or yellow. Signs designating each room hang from the ceiling, and computers line the walls of most rooms.

After five homes in 13 years, teachers are relieved and grateful to have found what appears to be a permanent location. They hope the pristine environment will boost student pride and enhance learning.

"There were years when we didn't even have textbooks. This is beyond anything we ever thought," Barylski said. "It is a lot of money for a small school population, but these kids are just as worth it as any other child in the district."

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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