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Fridley highlights ‘Grow Your Own’ teacher pipeline and $573,000 in program funds
Summary
Superintendent described the district’s Grow Your Own pipeline, saying the district front-pays tuition (supplementing ISD 916 funds) and currently has $573,000 allocated; staff said there is no contractual punitive repayment requirement after licensure.
Fridley Public Schools leaders described an expanding ‘Grow Your Own’ teacher pipeline designed to recruit and train local and international candidates and to ease financial barriers to licensure.
Superintendent said the district uses a mix of intermediate-district (ISD 916) funds and district dollars to cover tuition up front and provide mentorship and support. "It's not pay and then we pay you back. It's we front pay," the superintendent said when explaining tuition support for candidates pursuing special-education certification.
The superintendent told the board the program fund stands at $573,000; staff said that when that money is exhausted, the program will continue to use intermediate-district funds first and then supplement with district monies where possible. Staff acknowledged that some international trainees come on capped visas (H-3), which are nonrenewable and limited to 18 months, and that district leaders do not use punitive payback measures to require service after licensure.
Board members asked for program metrics — how many candidates are currently enrolled, whether there is a cap, and whether there is a contractual commitment to the district after licensure. Staff said they will include detailed numbers (graduates, current participants) in an upcoming update to the board.
Supporters said the goal is to recruit and retain teachers of color and to fill special-education vacancies. Staff noted the district has already hired multiple graduates from the program and that some trainees have gone on to work across the metro area. The board did not adopt any formal commitment or contract changes during the meeting; staff framed next steps as reporting program data in a future update.
