Weathersfield delays decision to join collaborative

MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield Board of Education has delayed a decision on whether to join a proposed Virtual Learning Academy until at least its Jan. 29 meeting.
The board has asked for more information on the Internet schooling idea being proposed by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center and the Jefferson County Educational Service Center.
A six-month contract, from Jan. 1 to June 30, is being proposed. Cost of joining the collaborative is $1,900 per pupil -- a $1,500 licensure fee, $100 software fee and a $300 instructional fee.
Superintendent Rocco Adduci told the board the Internet school idea might lure district pupils now attending community schools, also known as charter schools, back into Weathersfield's schools.
He noted the district has 11 pupils enrolled in community schools, which get $4,949 annually per pupil in state and local aid.
Under state funding methods, he said, that means the district is losing $51,375, considerably more than it would cost to pay for 10 pupils in the Internet school.
Treasurer Angela Lewis said the program is being proposed to all school districts in Trumbull County.