Prescott board approves River's Edge Virtual Academy and seeks early reporting

The Prescott School District board voted June 16 to approve a formal contract establishing River's Edge Virtual Academy, a district-sponsored virtual charter program that will begin this fall targeting local students and expanding enrollment over time.

Administration said the program will initially focus on district students and local home-school families, with plans to recruit beyond district boundaries in subsequent years. "I can ask or answer any questions that you have," Mr. Figgy said during the presentation, offering to provide updates as the program launches.

Board members discussed how often to receive updates and agreed to more frequent reporting in the first year to monitor enrollment and staffing. One board member suggested a brief update in September followed by written updates between meetings; others said enrollment numbers and staffing stability would be key metrics.

A motion to approve the virtual charter contract was moved and seconded and carried after a voice vote; one board member opposed. The board directed administration to provide the agreed updates to the board during the academy’s first year.

The contract signed later that evening will include provisions for periodic reporting and a requirement that the district and program leaders return to the board with enrollment and staffing information as agreed.