Recent History – 2004-2006
By Gary Rusak, 15 April 2005
The name Rolla Traditional School was adopted officially at School District 59’s regular trustee meeting on Wednesday.”They wanted this addressed in the short term,” said superintendent Bill Deith, referring to the newly formed school’s Parental Advisory Council “The name is very important so they can begin to design the school uniforms.”
The board unanimously approved the name.
The traditional school was established at the last board meeting after more than a year of back and forth discussions between the PAC and the school district.
In 2003, the school board originally voted to close the school because of lack of enrollment but after an outcry from the PAC a full year extension was granted. During the year the PAC proposed the idea of a traditional school, one that would stress disciple and parental involvement and require school uniforms, as a way to increase enrollment.
The board accepted the proposal, but put an enrollment stipulation of 50 students on the school before they would approve it. Last month, the PAC presented a list of 47 students to the board and, with a unanimous vote, they agreed to repeal the 50-student stipulation and allow the school to open in September 2005.
According to Deith, since then the PAC has been busy developing a student handbook, and finalizing the uniform design.”We are also advertising for the job of principal for the new school,” said Deith.
As well, the PAC is still investigating transportation options because School District 59 has stated that it will not provide busing for the school.