With a success rate of less than 50 percent at its currentMullins site, the Brookhaven School District’s Fast Track programwill be moved to individual schools in an effort to better helpstudents catch up on course work, school board members decidedMonday.

The Fast Track program is designed to help students who are twoor more grade levels behind catch up and return to classes on theirproper grade level. However, after the program’s five years atMullins, Superintendent Dr. Sam Bounds told school board membersMonday that 55 percent of Fast Track students are not accomplishinggoals upon returning to regular classes.

“We’re not going to phase it out. I still think the program hasa lot of merit in it,” Bounds said in recommending the Fast Trackprogram be divided and placed at Martin, Brookhaven Elementary andLipsey, with a transitional class at Alexander Junior HighSchool.

Bounds cited concerns about the success rate and costs asreasons for the move.

Regarding the success rate, Bounds said 175 students have beenthrough Fast Track in its five-year history at Mullins. Of those,45 have left the district and 34 are in the program this year.

Data on some Fast Track students is still being sought, butBounds said 31 students are having problems with course work ontheir proper grade level and 42 are failing at least one courseafter returning to class from Fast Track.

By returning the program to individual schools, Bounds saidprincipals would have more direct input on the program and”at-risk” students who are only one grade behind could be included.Bounds mentioned Fast Track class sizes of around 10 students atthe individual schools.

“Every principal has asked for the possibility of bringing itback to their schools,” Bounds said.

On the cost side, Bounds said about $204,000 a year is beingspent on the Fast Track program. Relocating the program could saveat least $150,000 a year, he said.

“With our budget cuts, that’s crucial,” Bounds said.

With the move, Bounds assured board members that Mullins willstill play an important role for the school district.

“Our Mullins campus is an integral part of our overalleducational picture,” Bounds said.

Bounds said 14 programs or offices are housed at Mullins. Theyinclude the alternative school, GED-adult education courses, BigBrothers-Big Sisters offices, the Parent Center, Food Services,administrative offices and others.

Moving Fast Track from Mullins would only take away fourclassrooms that are being used now, Bounds said. It would also givemore flexibility in accommodating new programs the district may bereceiving in the near future.

School board members approved Bounds’ recommendation.

In other business, Project Superintendent Robert Freeman updatedboard members on the progress of the Brookhaven High Schoolexpansion and renovation project.

Freeman said work on the existing building roof work is runningabout 15 days behind schedule. Air conditioning work is expected tostart in early July, and he was hoping to be back on schedule bythen.

On the east building, connecting it to the main section has beenthe focus.

”We’re about ready to finalize that last section,” Freemansaid.

Masonry work on the west building is running a little late,Freeman said.

Construction on the $11.5 million project is targeted forcompletion in November. School officials are looking to move intothe expanded and renovated facility at Christmas time.