What's new at Lakes Area Charter School?

While kids are basking in their last days of summer vacation, Lakes Area Charter School (LACS) works daily to be ready for the Tuesday, September 4 onslaught of students.

The following is a list of new additions to LACS.

New hours

LACS will go to a four-day schedule this fall, with school beginning at 8:24 a.m. and running until 4:04 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

New teachers, staff

New teachers Ryan Viola, science, and Kristine Wietecha, English, will replace Phil Nesse and Tim Mears.

Business manager Alicia Franzen has returned. A new office manager will replace Melissa Mathews. Phil Grant was hired to fill the director’s position of retired co-directors Russ Johnson and Lon Burgess.

New sponsor-authorizer

Innovative Quality Schools (IQS) will replace Alexandria Technical College, which has been the sponsor since the school’s inception in 1999, as LACS sponsor-authorizer.

Spruce-ups

The LeRoy Mackove Administration Building received new carpeting in the offices, new tiles in the commons area and fresh paint throughout both floors.

Virtual academy

Lakes Area Virtual Academy will soon go live, Grant said. The classes are taught online by Minnesota licensed teachers, with approximately 140 classes offered for grades 7-12. The virtual students will be able to complete their statewide testing at LACS.

To find out more, visit lakesareavirtualacademy.com or call 1-866-264-7228.

About 55 students are already enrolled at LACS, which has an available enrollment for 80 students. Currently, LACS serves students from Osakis, Alexandria, Glenwood, Long Prairie, Sauk Centre, Forada, Lowry, Starbuck, Villard, Browerville, Parkers Prairie, New York Mills, Bertha and Hewitt.

Rainbow Rider buses provide free round-trip transportation for students on two different routes: Starbuck-Glenwood-Alexandria and Sauk Centre-Long Prairie.

For more information, visit lakesareacharterschool.org or call (320) 859-5302 or 1-800-710-4788.

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