Board approves JAGK career-readiness program, commits district share of $16,088 for 2025–26

The Board of Education authorized USD 453 to enter a partnership with Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas (JAGK) and approved a one‑year program commitment for the 2025–26 school year at a district cost of $16,088.

District presenters described JAGK as a grant‑funded, evidence‑based program focused on career exploration, soft skills, community placements and one‑year post‑graduation mentoring by a career specialist. A district staff member summarized state JAGK data referenced in the presentation: program sites in Kansas show roughly a 96% graduation rate among participating students and positive post‑secondary outcomes in key measures reported by the program.

Under the district’s agreement, JAGK will hire and provide program staff, training and most student participation expenses; the district’s financial obligation was presented as roughly 15% of program costs for the first year (the motion approved represented $16,088 for 2025–26). The program would be scheduled as a mapped elective (career exploration) on the high school schedule, with a targeted initial enrollment minimum of 15 students and a cap of 65; presenters said the course would most commonly enroll sophomores.

Board members asked about student selection, staff hiring and how JAGK complements existing CTE pathways; presenters said JAGK is designed to serve students who are not yet on a specific CTE pathway or would benefit from broader career‑exploration and work‑readiness supports. The motion to enter the partnership and fund the district portion for 2025–26 passed; the board recorded the vote as unanimous (7–0).