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June 24, 2008


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NEWS

Carroll Academy to Remain Open Through 2008

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com

HUNTINGDON - Carroll Academy will remain open until Christmas, possibly longer, said Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride. The school was originally slated to close June 30 because of state and federal budget cuts amounting to $858,512.

The school, currently serving 101 students in grades 6-12, educates high-risk students who have been removed from traditional schools in five counties and placed in Carroll Academy by court order. It opened in September 1994 in an 8,000 square-foot portion of the Carroll County Office Complex on High Street, Huntingdon. It is a state custody prevention intervention program for at-risk juveniles and provides a cost-effective measure to reduce the extremely high rate of juvenile court commitments in the counties of Carroll, Henderson, Henry, Weakley and Benton. Students attend year-round and enjoy a low student/teacher ratio. Students receive counseling, individual attention, and return each evening to their families or guardians.

Juvenile court officials are soliciting financial support from the affected school systems, county governments, and private donations to keep the school open for the entire 2008-2009 year.

McBride said the Tennessee Department of Mental Health has agreed to continue its school licensure if local funding is raised. So far, the counties of Henry, Henderson, Benton, United Way, some of the county's local special school districts have tentatively agreed to provide funding, and some rollover money from this year's budget will be used to retain the school until December. The county of Carroll has committed to waive the $40,000 annual rent and to pay the utilities for the year. He expects the school will be downsized in order to continue operations.

Viola Miller, commissioner of the Department of Children's Services will make an official visit to the school July 1 at 10:00 a.m. It will be her first visit to the school, said Randy Hatch, administrator of the school.

Since its opening, Carroll Academy has served over 3,000 juveniles, many of whom would have been committed to DCS state custody. Carroll Academy has a 96 percent daily average attendance rate with zero dropouts. The school averages six to 12 high school graduates each year with a 90 percent GED passing rate, making it one of the most successful GED programs in the state. The school averages 42 Child and Family Team meetings per month, which equates to 504 per year or 7,056 since Carroll Academy opened.

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June 24, 2008