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Grow-Your-Own internships produce hires but funding cuts will narrow recruitment, administrators say
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Summary
District leaders said the Grow-Your-Own (GYO) summer internship successfully converted interns into district hires and supported college credit and mentoring but cautioned funding reductions will limit future recruitment and summer academy offerings.
District leaders told the board the Grow-Your-Own (GYO) summer internship program has increased the pipeline of staff of color and converted interns into paid district positions, but they warned that forthcoming funding changes will curtail recruitment.
Presenters said the program hired 18 students as summer interns last year and that a subset returned as permanent employees; interns received PCC college credits, participated in professional development (including science-of-reading training), learned human-resources processes, and worked under paid mentor teachers. "The whole experience gave me a clear sense of my goals and boosted my confidence," said Princess Moreno, a former intern now employed as an ELD instructional assistant.
Administrators said they have not yet received the new allocation and expect the grant to be reduced in scope. "It will be limited on how we support our high school," a district presenter said, adding that the grant may prioritize students already in a program rather than broad recruitment. Program staff said partners have underwritten some summer costs but the summer academy and recruitment efforts are uncertain without restored funding.
Board members praised the program's measurable results and urged advocacy to restore funding. Several board members said they would help advocate with legislators and partners to restore or supplement GYO resources, noting the program's demonstrated outcomes in diversifying district staffing and supporting students' career pathways.
Administrators said they would continue the program to the extent funding allows, focus on sustaining students already enrolled in program pathways, and report back as the state allocation is finalized.
