local education news

Two major stories in the Olympian about upcoming meetings.

The first: local parents, concerned about the education their autistic children receive in area districts, consider opening a private school.

The private school probably would start out as a K-4 or K-6 year-round school that would offer flexible schedules to about 10 to 20 students and their families, Holliday said. She also would like to offer swimming and horseback riding therapies and eventually expand the school to a high school.

But other details about the possible school have yet to be worked out, including where the money would come from.

Holliday said she likely would have to rely on parent donations and tuition to pay the $15,000 to $20,000 monthly payroll expenses. That doesn't include other costs, such as rent, insurance, curriculum and more. Meanwhile, Holliday still is looking for a site to buy or lease that would fit the school's needs.

The group will discuss the issue today at the Mud Bay Coffee Co., from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The second: the Olympia School District meets Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Knox Center to discuss the budget for 2006-2007. (No public comments.) Not surprisingly, the budget includes several measures to improve education for autistic students. There's much more, though, so check it out.