Mister Matheny of Warren Academy updated the board Feb. 20 on alternative education programming and facility improvements, saying the academy currently serves about 35 students and has recently opened a separate adjunct facility for third‑through‑fifth‑grade students.

Mister Matheny said the academy is emphasizing behavioral transformation and longer placements when necessary: “When I took over, one of the things I really wanted to focus on was the transformation of these students… it sometimes takes more days to do that.” He told the board the average student stay at Warren Academy is 117 days (he noted that figure is skewed by a small number of very long placements and that a more typical average may be 85–90 days).

The program reported 69% male and 31% female enrollment, about 40% of students classified as special education or 504, and a recidivism rate of about 13% (students who have previously been at the academy and returned). Matheny said eight students this year moved to homeschool and that staff are working on security cameras, flooring replacement to remove asbestos tile, landscaping and new instructional space. He described student activities including a pumpkin patch, a Thanksgiving meal for families and a hot‑chocolate bar at Christmas as part of student engagement and social‑emotional work.

Board members praised the staff’s hands‑on work and the school’s approach to behavior; one board member described students returning from Warren Academy as sometimes saying they “liked it better there than where I do now,” signaling the program’s structure and supports are valued by returning students.

Matheny described a new follow‑up practice: staff and an SEL liaison meet with students the first day after they return to their home school to ease reentry and support continuity of behavioral work. He asked the board to recognize the work of staff and community volunteers who contributed time and donations to school events.

No formal vote on program operations was recorded in the presentation; the update was informational.