Jamie Downs, Director of Health, asked the commission to approve a three-year renewal of the partnership with Butler Community College to host nursing students for clinical laboratory experience. "Every three years, we have to renew our contract with Butler Community College to allow their nursing students to come to the health department to get some hands on clinical experience," Downs said.

Downs described the program as short rotations (about two days) that expose students to public-health practice, including vaccination technique and WIC clinic activities; she said about eight students come through each semester and that one of the health department’s newest nurses came directly from that pipeline. "We actually teach them how to, you know, give a shot, actually do it," she said.

Why it matters: Staff and commissioners characterized the partnership as a modest educational collaboration that supports the county’s public-health workforce pipeline.

Vote: Commissioner Herzet moved to approve the three-year agreement; Commissioner Jackson seconded the motion and the commission voted 4–0 to approve and to authorize the chair to sign the contract.

Ending: Downs said the department typically hosts students twice a semester and will continue to report on the program’s experience outcomes if commissioners request further information.