Russellville is welcoming another virtual course option for students.
Launch, the Springfield Public Schools-based program, will give middle and high school students access to more than 120 courses taught by Missouri teachers who meet the Department of Secondary Education "highly qualified" status.
The program was approved during the Dec. 20 school board meeting to begin when students return from winter break in January. After the semester ends, the board will evaluate keeping the program.
Russellville Superintendent Perry Gorrell said by joining the 130-plus districts that are using the program, they are helping students take courses they are interested in that the district may not offer.
Students can choose from the courses available and enroll. Traditional, honors, advanced placement, credit recovery and dual credit options are available.
"It's self-paced and self-instructed more of Blackboard online type of course" Gorrell said.
The district already offers interactive video (ITV) courses.
"We offer ITV courses through Central Methodist University (Fayette)," Gorrell said. "So our use (of Launch) will probably be very minimal."
During the meeting, the board also approved the use of Buy Board, a purchasing cooperative, to speed up the process of resurfacing the track. Gorrell said this is a partnership with the Missouri School Board Association.
The next school board meeting will be Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m.