WEST DES MOINES, Iowa —

A plan to close Walnut Creek, West Des Moines’ longstanding alternative high school, is drawing concern from former students and community members who say the district is overlooking the school’s impact on students who have struggled in traditional settings.

The district presented a proposal Monday night that would shut down Walnut Creek and replace it with a districtwide alternative education model built inside existing schools. District leaders say the change is based on an in-depth audit that found high chronic absenteeism and stagnant academic performance at Walnut Creek. But some families and alumni tell KCCI they were caught off guard and worry the shift could leave vulnerable students without a place where they feel seen and supported.

For Marc Schlaf, one

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