Superintendent, Mr. Robert Shaps, is requesting the APPLE Program be discontinued due to it being a heavy expense for the district. The Apple Program has been in place for 40 years, being a positive alternative for students that find MHS's main stream schooling difficult. The program is taught by exceptional, caring and dedicated teachers that go that extra mile for each and everyone of their students. The relationships between The APPLE teachers and their students have PROVEN to HELP them excel academically and emotionally. They begin to feel confident. It has the characteristics of "family" within MHS. I have personally watched APPLE change the lives of students that are accepted into the program. One being a close family member who wasn't taking school seriously. They were placed into the program and four years later graduating with not one, but two scholarships! The other being my very own daughter. After she was accepted her grades improved tremendously. Why would we get rid of this very needed and special program???? The Board has approved a 9.3 million dollar bond to upgrade three (3) locker rooms, a new wrestling room, new gym along with other Physical Education amenities. Providing iPads to all students also can be cut out to save money. Furthermore, Mr. Shaps is requesting the program be terminated by June. Very short notice to prepare the students for the main High School, not to mention the Apple Staff. I am requesting that Mr. Shaps and the Board of Education cut back on funding the remodeling of the school and continue to offer this very special, important and needed program for the students that desperately need it.
