Kirkwood considers Webster Groves partnership to offer high‑school teaching pathway and dual‑credit opportunities

Kirkwood School District staff presented a proposal to form a teaching-and-learning cohort partnership with Webster Groves High School that would allow Kirkwood juniors and seniors to take a daily two‑hour pre‑service teaching course at Webster’s Chelsea Center, participate in an AI‑driven virtual practice classroom and complete supervised field placements, with the option to earn up to four hours of dual credit through Webster University.

Staff described the partnership as a market-value-asset and career-pathway initiative tied to district strategic objectives to expand career exploration and dual-credit access. The board was told the program’s classroom instruction is led at Webster by Carrie Aarons, a program lead and former Kirkwood employee; students would participate in seminar-style coursework, virtual AI simulation labs and on‑site observations and supported teaching assignments in local classrooms.

District staff outlined costs and logistics. Tuition at Webster was cited at about $2,112 for two courses per semester (approximately $2,100), yielding roughly $4,000 per student for a full school year if a student takes both semesters. Staff estimated an annual district cost package that included tuition support plus a proposed liaison/supervisor position to coordinate placements and student supervision; the total package was estimated at $25,000–$30,000 annually depending on enrollment. The liaison role was described as about 100–110 hours per year (a part‑time stipend role), and staff suggested a retired teacher or retired administrator could fill it. Board members discussed transportation (students would generally provide transportation; district support available if that posed a barrier) and a likely initial cohort size limited by Chelsea Center space to roughly 12–20 students shared between Webster Groves and Kirkwood.

Staff noted practical scheduling issues: Webster Groves High School begins classes later in the day (08:25) than Kirkwood (07:45), so students traveling to Webster would adjust their schedules in the morning and return to campus near lunch; the arrangement is similar to other off‑campus programs in the district. District staff said students could choose one semester or multiple semesters and that Webster may be able to secure grant funds to offset dual‑credit costs for participating students.

Board members asked about student selection and oversight. District staff said the liaison would help develop an application and selection process in partnership with Webster; the liaison would also supervise placements, coordinate with cooperating teachers, and support lesson planning feedback. Staff emphasized the program is designed as a low‑risk way for students to “dip their toes” into a teaching career with hands-on experience and possible progression to college‑level coursework if students elect to continue those credits at Webster or another accepting institution.

No MOU vote or contractual approval was taken at the meeting; staff requested authorization to continue negotiations and to bring an MOU and a job description for the liaison position back to the board for future consideration.

Ending: Board members expressed enthusiasm and flagged options for creative short‑term staffing (for example, using a counselor or a KLPP participant) if the initial cohort is small, and asked staff to return with a formal MOU and budget language for board action.