Close a school, open a village by Sue McMillin

Close a school, open a village
May 27th, 2009, 5:40 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Sue McMillin

Sometimes ideas blossom quickly. That seems to be the case with a group of citizens who have gathered a few times in recent weeks to talk about the fate of Irving Middle School after it closes this week. When many folks were relaxing over the Memorial holiday weekend, the stalwarts in the group were doing paperwork to establish the Irving Village nonprofit to create an intergenerational community center at the school on Murray Boulevard.

And they're thinking that part of the center would house a charter school, the Irving Village Career-Vocational Prep Academy that would serve students in sixth through 12th grades. The kids could get training/apprenticeships/vocational certifications, and even walk away with associates degrees, according to Delia Armstrong-Busby, one of the leaders of the effort. Those involved in recent meetings have said there's a huge need for vocational education in the region because students who aren't college-bound find the traditional high school offerings irrelevant to their lives.

Some of the folks and businesses who've joined this effort include attorney Pete Lee, Rick Johnson of Johnson Plumbing and Heating, Open Range Construction and Pikes Peak Workforce.

Busby said the group will seek a charter from D-11 or the state charter authority, and has already floated the idea to the League of Charter Schools, which found the idea innovative. Busby said those interested in the projects or in donating to the start-up can contact her at rubusy1@comcast.net
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DELIA ARMSTRONG-BUSBY 8/16/2004 4800.00. DELIA ARMSTRONG-BUSBY 8/31/2004 4800.00 ... DELIA ARMSTRONG-BUSBY 6/30/2005 4800.00. Total: 91419.24 ...

DELIA ARMSTRONG-BUSBY 8/16/2004 4800.00. DELIA ARMSTRONG-BUSBY 8/31/2004 4800.00 ... DELIA ARMSTRONG-BUSBY 6/30/2005 4800.00. Total: 91419.24 ...

Delia Armstrong Busby Consulting provides drop out intervention services to many districts over time. Delia Armstrong Busby created the Absence Addiction Approach which is a proven intervention for dropout intervention. The creation of this program assisted in award winning out comes for students.