The Storm Lake Community School District Board of Education approved the addition and hiring of a director for a new program for the 2025-26 school year at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting last Wednesday, July 16, in Storm Lake.
Superintendent Stacey Cole outlined the program, called CORE Academy—which stands for Connect, Own, Regulate, and Educate—for the school board.
The half-day academy will also replace night school. Students in grades 6-12 will benefit from the new program, serving those who return from a juvenile court placement or substance abuse treatment before re-integrating back into classes at the middle school or high school.
Board member Steven Mills asked what CORE Academy will offer that the North Central Consortium School, an alternative high school in Manson for students struggling with trauma or facing social and emotional challenges, does not.
She said the classes will be hybrid—a combination of online and face-to-face learning—with work-based learning and dedicated spaces for students to learn social emotional skills, practice those skills, academics, lunch, and a break area. The location also has room to expand in the future if need be, added Cole.
Mills made a motion to approve the new CORE Academy, which was seconded by board member Melea Raveling. The motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Board members Erika Dierking and Emilia Marroquin were not present at the meeting.
The school board also unanimously approved the hiring of Annette Benedict of Storm Lake as the program director for the CORE Academy. Cole says she is extremely excited for Benedict to join the Storm Lake Community School District team.
