Marietta Board of Education members voted 5-0-2 Tuesday to reduce the size of the alternative education program for students who have returned from youth or adult detention facilities or by disciplinary decisions.

Absent were Vice Chair Jason Waters of Ward 2 and Tom Cheater of Ward 6.

For students in grades 6 to 12, this program will be reduced by 18 percent, resulting in a decrease of $59,625 but adding one hour of instruction time for high school students.

Costs approved for the next three academic years are $269,010, $273,015 and $277,130 for the Ombudsman Alternative Education Program contract renewal.