The new continuation high school at Ripon Unified will debut as a modest operation.

The first piece of that could be added at today’s special meeting as school board members could appoint the teaching principal during the 5 p.m. closed session in the district office, 304 N. Acacia St.

RUSD officials saw the need for the alternative education as some students struggled to meet their graduation requirements.

The board-approved continuation high school will not only help those experiencing difficulties in remaining on track for graduation, but the ones lacking in credits as well.

Trustees also hope that this secondary site will help deter some of the declining enrollment numbers. During the previous school year, for example, Ripon High lost about 20 students, including 15 lacking the units and another five who turned 18 and opted to drop out of school.

The state education code, in addition, requires school districts to establish and maintain a continuation class at each high school site.

“Previously, neighboring school districts were able to accommodate the few students needing an alternative high school, but with the increasing number of Ripon (High) students needing this option, it (was) time for the district to establish its own continuation school,” Superintendent Louise Johnson said in her letter to state Education Programs consultant Jacie Ragland.

This past week, the board approved the 2013-14 fiscal year budget that called for adding two teachers to assist with the implementation of the continuation high school and “.625 instructional aides for Continuation School and Independent Study” programs.

Enrollment numbers at RUSD were also down by 59 students, resulting in a loss of revenue limit funding of $541,949 for the upcoming year.

For more information, call the district office at 209-599-2131 or log on to www.riponusd.net.