Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A community program supported by Springfield Public Schools will be able to be expanded after a change in leadership.

The local NAACP is transferring operation of an alternative program for students who are expelled to the organization known as “The Outlet” — and with that, the ability to include girls in their program for the first time.

“The most important thing to understand about our vision is that we are launching a program, and not a school.  May I repeat, this is not a school,” said Mike Phelon, founder, The Outlet.  “In this model, students remain enrolled in District 186 to complete their coursework, in our classroom or online, but in our building.”

Phelon says the students will, in his words, safely get back on a path toward high school graduation.  He says his organization will provide things including job trailing, financial literacy, and mental health services, among other things, while District 186 provides teachers and laptop computers.

And, incoming Superintendent Terrence Jordan says, some incentive.

“We want to establish a scholarship for two students that are graduating from The Outlet program each year, and recognize them,” said Jordan.

Jordan says the scholarships are being made available to honor the legacy of longtime educator, Elbert Betts.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was corrected after Mr. Betts was misidentified. We regret the error.