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Board approves Real World Learning Coordinator job; debate erupts over externship partner Herzog
Summary
The board approved a renamed 'Real World Learning Coordinator' extra-duty position to expand career-connected opportunities. Separately, an externally funded externship grant drew sharp criticism from some board members over a proposed partnership with Herzog; the record shows intense debate and a procedural vote to move discussion forward.
The St. Joseph School District Board approved a reworked job description that renames the business-partner role “Real World Learning Coordinator,” adds responsibilities connecting students with local businesses for job shadowing and internships, and changes extra-duty stipend pay to be paid each semester.
Administrators described the role as a connector between students and local employers to support career exploration, mock interviews, resume-building and apprenticeship pathways. The board approved the job posting and title change and clarified the position is an extra-duty stipend (not an administrative position); staff said the stipend starts at $72.23 per semester at the initial step level.
Separately, the board debated an externship grant application and a proposed community partnership that would include the company Herzog. Several board members voiced objections to formal partnerships with Herzog, raising concerns about industry funding and its involvement in state-level education policy advocacy; other board members and administrators pushed back, noting that Herzog has provided apprenticeships, manufacturing-day events and employment pathways for students.
The discussion over Herzog became a lengthy and at times heated exchange. Board members who opposed the partnership said the company’s statewide political activity conflicted with the board’s stated role as an advocate for public education; other members argued staff and teachers sign up for externships voluntarily and that job and apprenticeship opportunities for students are valuable. A procedural motion to end debate and proceed (a motion to “call the question”) was put to the board and passed 5–2. The record shows the board returned to its agenda items after the procedural vote; the transcript does not clearly record a final board vote on the externship grant or any written exclusion of Herzog from the application.
Administrators said they will continue to bring career, externship and business-partnership items back to the board and that staff will work to clarify any partnership agreements and the source of grant funding before final commitments.
Ending: The board approved the Real World Learning Coordinator extra-duty posting and requested clearer documentation of external partnerships and their funding and policy implications before any further commitments are made.
