A southeast Kansas district is seeking to join a program that waives state laws and regulations for participating schools.

The Topeka Capital-Journal (http://bit.ly/29EMVs6) reports Fredonia district officials told the Kansas State Board of Education on Tuesday why they want to join the Coalition of Innovative School Districts. The program is meant to remove school performance barriers, but critics have raised accountability concerns.

The approximately 700-student Fredonia district has a five-part plan that includes creating an academy focused on science, technology, engineering, math and arts education. Superintendent Brian Smith says it’s “put a lot of time and effort into meeting with public, meeting with businesses to establish a common vision.”

The state board could vote on Fredonia’s application as soon as next month. Six districts are currently part of the coalition.

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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com.