HAWTHORNE, Calif. – The Hawthorne School District has approved an alternative education program to help increase funding by maintaining student education during expulsions and suspensions.
One of four new programs aimed at improving district funding, the alternative education initiative will route expelled and suspended students to a vacant campus for continued education, keeping attendance money in its coffers.
Between 2003 and 2004, Hawthorne schools saw enrollment drop by 104 students and are already down 368 students this year. It is estimated the district receives an average of about $5,000 in funding for each student per year in average daily attendance funds. Considering the downtrend in attendance, which is partially attributed to a high expulsion and suspension rate, officials estimate the district suffered about $4 million in losses over the past four years. The district hopes to increase revenue by receiving funding that was previously given to Los Angeles County Office of Education community day schools where expelled and suspended students are typically referred.
