Crackdown follows brawl at alternative high school

VIRGINIA BEACH

Alternative education is supposed to be getting a fresh start in this city. A new slate of staff was hired, the programs were rebranded as the Renaissance Academy and a new building will be ready in January.

But after a brawl at the alternative high school Friday afternoon, administrators are making some major changes.

Two additional security staffers will be patrolling the high school, and procedures around lunchroom dismissal and bathroom breaks are changing. Two assistant superintendents will be running the school on a daily basis until a replacement is hired for the director, who resigned Friday morning.

Richard Ponti, who oversees the division's office of safe schools and risk management, said an additional police officer will be assigned to the school, and a security consultant and trainer will evaluate whether the school can better use the security staff it has.

"With any new program or policy, it takes a while to get it going," said Jobynia Caldwell, assistant superintendent of high schools.

The hiring of new teachers and administrators, many without alternative school experience, was supposed to help improve the level of instruction. Students have been promised more technology and online learning, and plans call for individualized goals, personalized projects and mentors.

Some students who attended the school last year said the instruction seems the same and the environment has gotten worse.

"It feels like we're being treated like criminals for going to an alternative school, but we just want to finish our education," said senior Justin Wyno, 18. "Most of us just missed some credits and want to finish up."

According to school administrators, 357 students are in the same credit-recovery program as Wyno, which was formerly known as Open Campus. Another 322 students are attending Renaissance Academy because of behavioral problems. Their program was called Central Academy last year.

Students in the two programs have separate lunches and classes. But beginning this year, students from both programs ride the bus together, pass through metal detectors and bag checks together and eat breakfast together, though the meal rules may change.

Wyno said he thinks the interaction increases the chances for fights. Caldwell said she plans to meet with students Friday to hear their concerns and ideas.

Some complain about the fact that Renaissance has different rules from the city's other 11 high schools. Cell phones are not allowed, and students must wear color-coded polo shirts and khaki pants. Accessories in rainbow colors are not allowed.

Senior Stephanie Jacobs, 18, who attends the credit-recovery program, said she was warned for wearing a yellow hair tie. "It's gotten ridiculous," she said. "I'm to the point where I want to drop out and get my GED."

Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com