Board approves Adelphi MOUs for teacher residency and medical assistant certificate programs

The Mineola Board of Education on Sept. 18 approved several memoranda of understanding with Adelphi University to expand educator preparation and allied health offerings.

Resolutions approved included an MOU to continue a teacher residency program (described by district staff as the district’s 12th to 13th year of partnership with Adelphi) running from August 2025 through June 2026, and an MOU to implement a noncredit, hybrid allied health certificate in medical assistant preparation for the 2025‑26 academic year. The board additionally approved an agreement for the Mineola Union Preschool (as read on the agenda) to enroll in credit‑bearing education pathway courses with Adelphi during the same academic year.

Why it matters: district leaders said the long‑standing teacher residency yields candidates the district frequently hires and is mutually beneficial to the university and the district. The new allied health certificate and the medical‑career pathway are intended to expand college‑ and career‑focused options for students, including clinical certification opportunities and middle/high school career pathways (the district also referenced existing EMT programs and a new medical‑assistant certification course on the agenda).

Discussion and action: trustees voted to approve each MOU; no dissent was recorded on the consent votes. Trustees and student representatives expressed enthusiasm for expanded pathways and said the programs include opportunities for internships and in‑district placements.

Implementation notes: the MOUs cover specific terms (August 2025–June 2026) for residency and certificate programming and include logistical details such as in‑district placements and busing; the board did not read full contract language aloud but recorded approval on the consent agenda.

Ending: the board approved the MOUs and authorized the superintendent to finalize implementation details.