Lisbon considers exchange program

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2012

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LISBON – The Lisbon Central School District is looking to diversify its student body.

The school has formed a committee to consider Foreign Exchange Program. The program would allow high school-age, English-speaking students from various internationalities to study for one year at the institution.

Students would need to pass an English screening test and have a strong academic background before being integrated into the New York State Board of Regents curriculum, Superintendent Erin E. Woods said on Friday.

“We would start small,” said Mrs. Woods. “But we would be completely dependent on volunteer host families to support and help the students.”

The committee held their first meeting on June 13. Committee members reported on traveling to the Newcomb School District, a rural school in the Adirondacks with 100 students enrolled K-12. Newcombadministrators demonstrated how their program boosted budget and enrollment numbers. However, according to Board of Education Vice President Blake Gendebien, Lisbon’s exchange programis not about numbers, but about diversity and exposing students to new ideas.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for students at Lisbon,” said Mr. Gendebein. “It is also exciting news for the students to see what we have to offer.”

In fact, enrollment has increased for the fifth consecutive year at Lisbon Central School. After graduating 33 students at its ceremonies on Friday, it will welcome 60 students into its kindergarten class in the fall.

The committee is still waiting to hear if its visa program is approved before they decided schedule another meeting, Mrs. Woods said.

“We’ve decided we can’t move forward unless we knowif our students can obtain visas,” Mrs. Woods said.