By Rachel H. Goldman
Staff Writer
Chinese high school students next year may have the
opportunity to don a cap and gown and graduate with Kennebunk High School’s
class of 2013. Regional School Unit 21 Superintendent Andrew Dolloff at a Sept.
12 school board meeting said he is exploring the possibility of enrolling
international students at the high school. “It aligns well with our
(district’s) mission statement, which is to prepare students for a global society,” he said. “It also aligns well with our
International Baccalaureate focus.”
Kennebunk High School Principal Sue Cressey agreed. “(The
idea) is in the planning stages, but I think that it is the natural next step given our international
focus,” she said in an email. Dolloff said enrolling a handful of international students would benefi t
Kennebunk High School students by exposing them to other cultures. It would also provide students from
around the world the opportunity to come to the district.
Kennebunk High School currently hosts exchange students
who travel and study abroad through AFS Intercultural Programs, a nonprofi t international
exchange organization for students and adults. The host school absorbs the cost of educating exchange students.
If Kennebunk High School were to enroll international
students, the students would pay the district tuition to attend the high
school. Students would receive credit for coursework completed while at the
high school and would be eligible to receive a Kennebunk High School diploma if
they attend during senior year.
According to federal law, international students have the
opportunity to attend public schools in the United States for one year, Dolloff said. “The biggest
draw for students is that they would be able to earn their diploma here from an
American school,” he said.
Dolloff said he has been in communication with
administrators at Maine high schools that currently
enroll international students. Those schools include
Orono High School and Camden Hills High School.
He also is working with Fox Intercultural Consulting
Services, a Falmouth based company that helps build partnerships between American and Chinese
schools. It also promotes American schools to Chinese families and translates school materials for
prospective students.
He said Fox Intercultural Consulting Services is “very
encouraged” by the prospect of promoting the district to international students
because of its reputation, location and well developed International
Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs.
Dolloff said he also is in communication with educators,
recruiters and American citizens overseas.
Dolloff said the district is working toward becoming
approved by the Department of Homeland Security, which requires an online training process of
schools that enroll international students.
The process can take up to six to eight months, he said.
Dolloff is also compiling promotional and informational materials to have translated for Chinese schools
and families.
“There’s still a long way to go,” Dolloff said. Steps
include creating new policies, obtaining certifications and approvals and
making contact with Chinese families and schools.
“But if it all goes according to plan we could have a few
international students here next fall,” he said.
Staff Writer Rachel H.
Goldman can be reached
Looks like RSU 21 is trying to keep up with TA. RSU 21 will be looking for funding, be aware there TA has a huge endowment fund.
ReplyDeleteI'm only aware of one school being successful with foreign exchange students boarding in Maine, and I believe that's TA.
ReplyDeleteI think the RSU should focus on one idea at a time; I think first and foremost they should revisit the cost-sharing formula, since after this year, Arundel's share will go back up to skyscraper level.
In what way would Arundel's share go to skyscraper level? I agree the cost sharing formula needs to be revisited. It sure would be nice if the Board of Selectmen pusued the issue.
ReplyDeleteRemember what our share was last year, before the Board applied the $1M+ to relieve some of the tax burden?
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, we'll go back to last year's numbers or greater, since there is an expected increase in next year's budget.
http://www.rsu21.net/Finance/FY12/RSU%20Board%20%20Recommended%20Budget%203.21.11%20updated%204.8.11.pdf
Had the cost sharing proposal been approved, Arundel's share would have had an impact of 90.34 per 100,000. Without it, Arundel's share would have been 91.82.
http://www.rsu21.net/Finance/FY12/Budget%20Letter%20Adjusts.pdf
The link above points to the increase we experienced, as a result of the undesignated funds being applied to the tax burden.
Our district won't have the same undesignated fund balance in the upcoming school year, so what does that mean? It means we go back to the big painful number in the first link.
It's why I feel the Board should be talking about this, and not the Selectmen being responsible for it; they're residents of the district as well, they're impacted by next year's increase; the Board should take it upon themselves to initiate this conversation with the public to gauge the best way to solve this matter.
If the bonds for repair are approved in November, and/or if buying into a regional high school is approved, expect that number from the first link to go sky-high.
I think people should start writing letters to the Board, requesting that this be put front and center on the agenda, so there is no last minute scramble at the start of the next fiscal year, and no multiple vote-downs of the budget.
Doing it right the first time would be a good start, wouldn't you agree?
You've lost me. I do agree doing it right the first time is essential to the district moving forward.
ReplyDeleteThe cost sharing formula needs to be ammended. If the school board isn't going to pursue the issue, then the Boards of Selectmen need to. First and foremost, it should not be forgotten that Arundel can withdraw from the RSU.
It was recently agreed that a regional school is not going to happen.
The economy in its state isn't supporting increases. Foreclosure rates are up, jobs are down, and enrollment in district is declining.
If there is nothing in the budget that has the potential of being reduced, then what is left to do about it?
I don't mind paying more taxes when it is justified, and am not entirely convinced that it is.
Sorry; so my comment was in the context of The Next Big Thing; bringing in foreign exchange students is all fine and well, but the idea doesn't bring to light how everyone benefits.
ReplyDeleteWould having foreign exchange students who pay tuition reduce our cost share?
I read about the decision not to go with a regional high school, and I'm glad that common sense prevailed; with the amount of money being spent to overhaul our schools, I think this would have thrown a wrench into the way we divvy up expenses.
If Arundel withdrew, what would be our tax rate? (Or, what was it prior to consolidation?)
Given the current economic situation, what's the likelihood that the tax rate would remain flat? It would cost a significant amount of money to withdraw from the RSU, as well as to maintain the standard that has been set for Arundel since consolidation.