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Principal resigns post after Wyoming hazing skit

By WTOP Staff

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A skit at a Wyoming high school in which new staff members were hazed with sexually suggestive words and actions has resulted in disciplinary action against some employees and the resignation of the principal.

The incident on Aug. 25 at Natrona County High School in Casper violated policies on harassment and conduct, according to a statement released by the Natrona County School District.

Principal Dean Kelly resigned Wednesday, apologizing for “an unfortunate incident” under his watch that compromised trust and embarrassed the district.

The Casper Star-Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/1r1N1es) that Kelly will take on another, unspecified role in the school district.

The district on Tuesday released a redacted copy of a video of the skit in response to a public records request by the Star-Tribune.

School district attorney Kathleen Dixon said the video was shot by the school’s videographer but she had no further details about who arranged the video. She said no students were involved in making or performing the skit.

The newspaper said six student council members were present during the skit.

The district did not identify any administrators or employees involved in the skit and the redacted video blurred the faces of those in the performance and does not include any names.

“We wish that there were ways to say more, but at this time, we’re obligated to continue to follow the personnel laws and that process,” Dixon said.

In the skit, two Natrona County High School personnel dressed as cheerleaders introduced new staff members to the rest of the staff audience. They compared the new teachers to sex offenders, drunks and serial killers and used teachers’ body types as fodder for their jokes.

Staff members dressed as cheerleaders also made references to masturbation, homosexuality and virginity.

The district initiated an outside investigation after hearing complaints about the skit, and Kelly was among those placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Efforts by The Associated Press to reach Kelly on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The district Board of Trustees and superintendent reviewed the investigation results Monday night, but a final report has not been released.

The district’s anti-harassment policy says each person associated with the district has the right to an atmosphere free of harassment or discrimination.

The district’s conduct policy states that adults and students are expected to treat one another with respect and have the right to be physically and emotionally safe in order to create “a safe, positive, and proactive environment where both the students and the staff feel enthusiastic about learning and sharing ideas.”

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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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