The Selma Times-Journal

The Phoenix School is downsizing and relocating.

The school, 501 Plant St., will relocated to the Selma High School Child Care Center building on 6th Avenue.

The Phoenix serves students from other city schools by helping to improve their academic performances. Those students will now receive that help at their regular schools.

Students who have had disciplinary problems in the school they attend regularly also go to the alternative school. Those students will still attend.

Dr. Verdell Lett-Dawson, interim superintendent, recommended the school close because it is no longer cost effective.

The school&8217;s participation will drop from roughly 76 students to about 30, therefore, it will be a program under the umbrella of Selma High School.

Dawson said someone has inquired about purchasing the Plant Street building, but she would not give details.

School board members John W. Williams and Debra Reeves-Howard opposed the move. Both questioned the safety of the students.

To address safety concerns about the students with disciplinary problems crossing paths with other students on the campus, class times will be staggered. Classes for the Phoenix School students will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., while Selma High will hold classes from 8 a.m. until 3:20 p.m.

Lunch will be served to the Phoenix School students in their classroom building. They will not have gym privileges. They will have recreation on the grounds where the daycare playground is.

The Phoenix School building will also have its own entrance and exit.

Dawson said there are plans to build a wall completely close the Phoenix facility completely off from the other parts of Selma High.