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New JAG class at VHS enrolls 23 students; specialist outlines program activities and four-year grant
Summary
Marie Severson reported that Vermillion High School’s new Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) class has 23 students and is funded by a 1,003 grant for four years; Severson described program services, recent student activities and follow-up plans.
Marie Severson, the district’s JAG specialist, briefed the board on April 14 about the newly launched Jobs for America’s Graduates program at Vermillion High School.
Severson said the program currently has 23 students on the roster. She said JAG’s model services include academic remediation, career exploration, community service, employability skills training, field trips and work-based learning. Severson said the program spends most of its classroom time on employability skills and that she will follow up with seniors for one year after they graduate to track outcomes and offer continued support.
Severson outlined recent student experiences: four students visited the state Capitol in February, 17 students attended a large career fair in Sioux Falls, and 12 students attended a career development conference in Mitchell (eight students participated in a competitive “knowledge bowl”). She also said five students submitted applications for local jobs after a mock-interview event and two of those students are now employed.
The board asked about program funding and capacity. Severson said the program is supported by a “1,003 grant” for four years. After consulting with staff, she said an enrollment target of 30–35 students would be reasonable for the high school and that the program could expand to about 50 students if necessary.
Severson said she has connected with other JAG specialists and mentors in South Dakota and Iowa for professional development and program practices. Board members praised the follow-up work planned for graduates and asked staff to continue developing community partnerships and enrollment outreach.
