DUBUQUE - Dubuque students spent the day on the street, waving signs, asking for support.

They're protesting a plan that would close Central Alternative High School.

That's after the district cut more than 30 teaching positions last month.
It is part of the school districts plan to stay out of debt and improve graduation rates.

Student Patrick Tucker said, "I think it should be about better education but to them it's about money."

The district suggests closing the alternative high school, to help save money and improve graduation rates. Under the new proposal the students would return to either Hempstead or Senior High. They'd also have access to special programs through the district. But these students say traditional high school just doesn't work for them.

Student Chad Huseman said, "I've learned a lot more at this school in the past two months than I did at Hempstead the entire year."

The students fear if forced to attend the bigger schools they'll slip through the cracks, drop out and miss out on chances to improve their lives.

Student Paige Altman said, "I won't be able to graduate, I won't be able to go to college and I won't be able to be a psychologist."

Huseman said, "I want to be the first person in my family to graduate high school."

Nearby business owner Linda Herbst says Central Students have done a lot to improve downtown Dubuque. She says she'll do whatever she can to help these kids out.

Herbst said, "Make some phone calls to the school board members because I really think that this is something that has to stay."

Students say they stay here as long as they have to, to save the school they say could save their futures.

Under the proposal the students would have access to special help at a new alternative learning center on Alta Vista Street.

School administrators say restructuring the alternative learning program could actually help improve graduation rates in Dubuque.