NC school system might drop alternative class

RALEIGH — A North Carolina school system is considering dropping an alternative school program for students who are suspended, because of budget problems.

Wake County school administrators say eliminating a program that allows suspended students to go to alternative schools would save $1.2 million. Students who are given long-term suspensions would be offered online courses to keep up with their classes.

Wake Superintendent Del Burns told The News & Observer of Raleigh the program would still meet the requirements of state law.

Calla Wright with the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African America Children said eliminating the alternative school program would not help the students.

Wake County schools had 8.3 long-term suspensions per 1,000 students last year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)