School board approves MOU with Longwood Life to place post‑secondary students with disabilities in district kitchens
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Summary
Prince Edward County Public Schools approved a memorandum of understanding with Longwood University’s Longwood Life program to provide work‑based culinary placements for students ages 18–25 enrolled in Longwood Life’s post‑secondary program.
The Prince Edward County School Board approved a memorandum of understanding with Longwood University’s Longwood Life program to place post‑secondary students with disabilities into paid, on‑site work experiences within Prince Edward’s three school kitchens.
Board members heard a joint presentation from Longwood representatives and Prince Edward staff describing the two‑year, non‑degree Longwood Life program. Karen Feathers (associate professor of special education) and a Longwood educational support specialist explained that participating students would be interviewed, hired as district staff members, and assigned to one of the three school kitchens for one to two days per week, two to four hours per day, with placements and supervision adjusted based on individual progress reviews.
The Longwood presenters characterized the collaboration as a training and transition opportunity: students in the Longwood Life program gain “hands‑on experience in a real world setting” while building job skills, communication and independence. Longwood staff said the program has run since 2018 in partnership with area schools and that Prince Edward students have participated in prior years. The board moved and seconded approval of the MOU and carried it by voice vote.
What it means: Under the agreement, Longwood Life participants will be treated as regular Prince Edward staff during their placements and will follow the school division’s policies and procedures. Placements are intended to be transitional and support employment skill development for students with applied‑studies diplomas who seek post‑secondary opportunities.
Provenance
Topic introduction excerpt: “We’re here tonight to give you some background on Prince Edward County’s food service and Longwood Life, forming a partnership to provide individuals with disabilities with an opportunity to gain valuable work skills in the culinary field.” (Presentation opening; transcript timecode s=2211.73–2284.50).
Topic finish excerpt: “I’m sure many of us wanna make a make a motion that we approve the MOU between, Prince Edward Public Schools and Longwood Life of Longwood University.” (Motion and vote; transcript timecode s=3083.53–3093.29).