Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Experience topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District to seek state funds for teacher externships; trustee raises objection to Herzog participation
Summary
The district plans to apply for state grant funds to support a July externship program that places teachers and counselors at local businesses. One trustee objected to including Herzog as a host because of the company’s public political activity.
The board heard an update on the district’s externship program, a teacher and counselor professional‑learning opportunity that places educators at local businesses for rotations in July.
The district said this is the third year of the program (paused during COVID), and it is run in partnership with the workforce alliance and the chamber. The district named six host employers included in the grant listing: Altec, BI, Herzog, Hilliard, Midland Steel, and Mosaic. Participation consists of rotations to multiple employers across four days; 20 participants have signed up for the July externship and five requested direct pay rather than accessing career‑ladder hours. For those electing direct pay, staff said the state grant can pay a weekly rate (the transcript lists the figure as "$406 $464" weekly; staff clarified it is a weekly stipend option tied to the grant and career‑ladder choices).
District staff said it will seek state grant reimbursement through Northwest RPDC to pay up to 20 participants who opt for direct pay instead of career‑ladder compensation. Participation is voluntary; some educators prefer direct pay to avoid career‑ladder hour requirements (which include minimum student contact hours and additional time commitments).
During discussion a trustee said, "I'm just gonna go ahead and say I have a real problem with this partnership with Herzog. I know we're not supposed to talk about Herzog, but I have a real problem with us working with a business that is actively funneling millions of dollars into defunding and dismantling public education. That seems very contradictive. I have a I just have a real problem with that." That trustee said the district could move forward if no other board members objected.
District staff said hosts are identified through the workforce alliance in partnership with the chamber. No formal action was taken; the item was informational and staff said they will proceed with the grant application and return to the board if required by the grant process.
