Alternative school gives kids an option

From the moment an outsider approaches Central School, it is apparent this place looks at learning differently.

Even at first glance, Central School shrugs off any similarities with conventional public schools. An old car appears to be crashing through the south exterior brick wall, compliments of Todd Berget’s art students. At the beginning of each period, students gather for instruction around large tables, instead of sitting in rows of desks. And the overstuffed chairs and couches in the classrooms of Dean Herried and Laura McCrohan give the rooms a relaxed, less-institutional feel.

But, aside from the outward appearance and a non-traditional learning methods at the alternative school, the students use the same curriculum as their counterparts at Libby High School. 

“We use the same curriculum, the same textbooks,” said McCrohan, who teaches English, literature and special education. 

In fact, Berget, who the three agree is the spokesman for the school, bristles at the idea that students at Central School are simply given grades to move ahead.

“That’s just not so,” Berget repeated Friday, four days after he addressed the school board. “We have 34 students at Central. Last grading period, I gave four A’s, four B’s, seven C’s, eight D’s and eight grades away,” Berget said. 

Berget admitted the teaching style at Central School is different than that of a conventional high school. However, he said, the students at Central School learn differently. 

“For reasons as different as each student, they have not done well in a conventional classroom,” Berget said. “However, we work with them here at their own pace. We work until they get it.”

The Central School teaching staff consists of Berget, Herried and McCrohan, and they are as different and varied as the students they teach.

“Todd’s the spokesperson,” Herried said. “Laura and I really don’t like public speaking, and he’s pretty good at it. Todd’s got all the talent for speaking and art.”

Berget has a bachelor’s degree in art with a history minor, and he teaches math. To hear Berget tell it, it’s McCrohan who keeps Central School running.

“Laura’s the glue of this place,” Berget said. “She does all the paperwork — the administrative work. We don’t have a staff secretary, per se. She takes care of the English, literature. She has the special-education degree, K through 12.”

And, like any good trio, there’s always the techie guy, and that’s where Herried comes in.

“Dean’s the high-tech computer guru,” Berget said, admitting he’s a novice when it comes to computers. 

Herried worked with the Libby Police Department, helping troubled students there before Central School started during the 1999-2000 school year.

“We all wear a lot of hats,” Berget said.

Between the three of them, they have a combined 56 years in the district, most of it serving students at Central School.

In addressing the needs of students, McCrohan said Central kids are like all young people, but they have traits that make them different.

“There was a time recently when we went two weeks without someone on probation. Oh, it was great! We celebrated every day,” said McCrohan, a staunch defender of the benefits of the school.

So, when there’s talk about closing the school to balance the district budget, the staff gets defensive.

“We hear it, talk of closing Central School,” Berget said. “If they do that, we’ll just displace other teachers in the district. Besides, what do you do with these students?

“These kids will be lost. Sure, some will be able to be able to go back to a conventional classroom, but not all.”

One student who says he would not be able to go back to Libby High is James Miller, a 16-year-old junior.

“I wasn’t doing too well in regular school, but I love it here,” Miller said. “In fact, I’m back on my credit pace since I came here. I’d say 80 percent of the students here would not be able to go back if they closed this school.”

Miller, who was working with Herried on a computer-mapping program, said he has a renewed interest in school.

“When I graduate, I’ll be the first one in my family in eight generations. And, I’m thinking about college or something beyond that. This has worked for me,” he said.

Addressing the possibility of closing Central School in this budget-tight year when the district is looking for a tax increase in May, Berget said the impact on the students will be more than the savings.

“I’m guessing the cost of staff to be $125,000 to $140,000 Berget said. “At 34 students, we have a tenth of the high school students here. The state reimburses about $6,400 for each student, which comes to ($217,600) annually. It’s not about the money, it’s about helping these young people get their education. But, if you want to talk money, Central School is a bargain.”

And, with the district currently leading the state with a graduation rate of nearly 93 percent, Central School plays a key role in that graduation success.

“We had 14 graduates at Central School. Without them we’d be back at 75 percent. Every piece is critical,” Superintendent K.W. Maki said.

LHS Principal Rik Rewerts said all teachers in the district deserve credit for the graduation success, including those at Central School.

“We’ve all had a part in this accomplishment,” Rewerts said last week. “Teachers here at Libby High School and Central School.”

Berget said he is conscious of the image of students at Central School, and he knows when the public sees students painting wall murals or a centerline zipper on Mineral Avenue that there is a tendency to think Central students hoe an easier row toward graduation.

Berget said those projects have dual purposes. First, they help to beautify the city, and, secondly, they create a sense of civic pride for the students. 

“I call the paper, and we get a photo in the paper,” Berget said. “This helps to lift their self-esteem, their civic pride.”

And that’s not the only morale booster for students. Last Friday was 1970s day. Most students — and all staff — dressed in ’70s style. Berget wore a wig with long locks and a red, white and blue bandana. Herried looked like Peter Fonda from Easy Rider, and McCrohan wore a pink pants suit.

“We have fun, but it’s all about learning,” Berget said.