SOUTH BEND -- A new program introduced by South Bend Schools' Superintendent Dr. Robert Zimmerman is creating controversy. The program would give struggling students a second chance.

Some school board members have concerns about this program. The issue is over financing. Many board members feel the program is necessary, but before they make a decision, they want to do some investigating. And that's raising red flags for some people.

After teaching at Studebaker School for 18 years, Peg McAllister believes there are many kids who deserve a second chance.

"They're not bad kids,” she said. “It's because of things happening at home."

The program is called Reducing Incidences of Student Exit, or RISE. It would give students who've been expelled a chance to get a diploma instead of dropping out.

"We send them out on expulsions for a semester or a year and then it makes it very difficult for them to come back and get reengaged,” explained Dr. Zimmerman.

The program would cost $100,000 for half a school year. This concerns some school board members because the district is still negotiating contracts.

"My concern was just to make sure that we take care of our own first,” said school board member Marcia Hummel. “Take care of the staff that we have out there dealing with negotiations."

"We are in negotiations with contracts, but I don't think $100,000 is going to make a big difference in any of our contracts,” McAllister said.

But board members say their concerns may be getting misinterpreted.

"When the board asks questions that does not mean that they're against the program,” Hummel said. “That simply means they're doing their homework."

And doing their homework means weighing options — something the school board says is important when you're using taxpayer dollars.

"You know when we’re talking about combining services all over the state now — that's the talk — I think those are the things we've have to look into,” Hummel said. “I'm not saying that would be good in the end. But I'm saying we have to investigate them."

"I always feel like you're going to pay now or pay later,” McAllister said.

The school board is expected to vote on the program at their next meeting on Monday.

If it gets approved, it will start next semester.