Work-based SOS program seeks district funding as grant sunsets
Summary
The SOS high-quality work-based learning program, run in partnership with Ferrum College and funded in part by DARS and state grants, asked the board to include $27,000 (continuation) to $54,000 (expansion) in budget priorities.
Franklin County school officials and program staff presented the SOS (work-based learning) program to the board on Oct. 13 and asked that the board include continuing funding in the districtbudget now that a primary grant is expiring.
Dr. Sears introduced teacher Brent White (program instructor) and two recent graduates, Braden and Caden, who described hands-on workplace experience the program provides. Presenters said the program targets students who have not held jobs before or who need a high-quality, supervised workplace experience tied to career and technical education pathways. The program runs in partnership with Ferrum College and has used DARS funding and other grants to pay student stipends.
Program leaders said the grant that covered student stipends runs out this year. For an eight-student cohort, presenters estimated current annual costs of roughly $22,000to $27,000 depending on projected minimum-wage increases; expanding to two cohorts (16 students) would raise the ongoing cost to approximately $46,000to $54,000 at higher wage projections. Staff reported 18 students have completed the program to date, with 17 of them working full time or enrolled in college.
No formal board vote was taken; members said they would consider the program in the districtbudget process and asked staff to provide line-item figures. Presenters stressed the programrole in improving graduation and workplace outcomes, noting it offers high-school credits, potential CTE certification and college credits through dual-enrollment arrangements.
