COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Wasson High School will look very different next year. On Wednesday the D-11 School Board decided to make it a 'school of innovation,' with specialized programs to attract students. For years, Wasson has struggled with low enrollment and graduation rates. The hope is this new plan will give students a reason to attend by letting them get on their career paths early. Programs or "academies" include math and science, law and leadership and the arts.

"It allows students that are interested in those career pathways to really have a focused, tailored experience in their instruction," said Wasson Principal Sean Dorsey.

Dorsey will be leaving Wasson next year for the Falcon School District, but he said he still believes the plan will be successful.

"It's not my plan, it's really Wasson's plan," he said. "The district is behind it, as well as the community."

But some teachers at Wasson tell us the school's staff is split 50/50, and that some feel there wasn't enough collaboration for the plan. Another problem was, initially, about 30 Wasson teachers were told they had to re-apply for their jobs. That idea has been shelved now that Dorsey is leaving.

"We don't really anticipate that re-application process happening anytime soon, if at all," Dorsey said.

A longtime Wasson teacher spoke with NEWSCHANNEL 13 on the condition of anonymity. She said she and several others are concerned about the future, and have their feelers out for new jobs.

"Nobody's against the idea of coming up with innovation," she said. "But you need the right process of creating it. Some of us feel this plan is being rammed down our throats."

The "school of innovation" designation allows schools to be exempt from some state education policies, giving more freedoms to craft an education plan. Wasson will be the first in the Pikes Peak region, and the fourth in the state.

Dorsey says the plan is exactly what Wasson needs to stay viable.

"It's a great tool to help schools renew themselves, and I think Wasson is well on its way to do that," he said.

The plan will cost about $450,000 a year, another cost D-11 will have to factor into next year's budget.

At Wednesday's meeting , the school board also decided to add sixth grade at Trailblazer Elementary School.