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East Stroudsburg staff pursue NCC grant to expand dual enrollment; teachers may need extra graduate credits
Summary
District leaders described three dual-enrollment models and said Northampton Community College has offered a two-year grant that could cover students' college credit costs and possibly fund teacher tuition to meet adjunct requirements. No board action was taken at this meeting.
East Stroudsburg Area School District officials described a three-track plan to expand dual enrollment and said Northampton Community College (NCC) has offered a two‑year grant that could pay students' college-credit costs if the district partners with the college.
The proposal outlined three delivery models: students traveling to a college campus for classes; a high‑school delivery model where district teachers (or co‑taught classes with NCC faculty) deliver college‑aligned courses in district buildings; and an online model where students take courses offered externally. Dr. Vitale said the district favors the high‑school delivery model to provide wider student access without adding a direct district cost for students choosing college credit.
District staff told the committee that NCC officials contacted them within 48 hours of an earlier meeting and informed them that federal grant funding for dual enrollment was available with a fast turnaround. The college is targeting two pathways for the district: education (future educators) and an allied‑health pathway. Under the plan students could begin pathway coursework during the spring of their junior year and acquire four to five college credits per semester in their senior year; staff estimated students could graduate with roughly 12 to 15 college credits with no charge to students if the grant is awarded.
Staff discussed one implementation constraint: NCC requires secondary instructors to hold roughly 18 graduate‑level credits in a discipline to be authorized to teach as adjuncts for college credit. District staff said they expect some teachers already meet that threshold while others do not, and NCC indicated the grant could include tuition reimbursement to help teachers earn the needed credits.
Committee members raised operational questions about the MOU, scheduling, and how dual‑enrollment offerings would interact with the union MOU that governs district teachers. Dr. Vitale said the district would not “step on what our teachers are teaching” and suggested co‑teaching or changing tracks if teachers do not meet credential requirements. Board members and staff also discussed prior attempts at offering EMT or emergency‑responder classes in partnership with other providers and noted some previous partnerships had ended when the college declined to continue on‑site offerings.
No formal vote or final agreement with NCC was recorded at this meeting. Staff said they might return to the board in late spring with details if NCC obtains the grant.
Ending: District leaders asked for continued patience while they work through credentialing, scheduling, and grant timelines; they said any final program changes would come back to the board for formal approval.
