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Board approves ESL endorsement incentive to expand multilingual teacher capacity
Summary
Trustees approved an MOU to reimburse tuition over a multi-year period to encourage staff to obtain ESL endorsements; district estimates about $200 additional cost per participant over the credential and a three-year service requirement after completion.
The Warren Township High School District 121 board approved a memorandum of understanding that will reimburse teachers who pursue an ESL endorsement, aiming to increase district capacity to support multilingual students across core and elective courses.
Cristio Carras, presenting the MOU, told trustees the incentive is designed to increase the number of teachers with ESL endorsements and therefore provide more linguistic support in general-education classrooms. Carras said reimbursement would be spread across the credential period so the districts added cost is about $200 per participating teacher over the full program rather than a one-year charge.
The MOU includes a three-year service requirement following completion of the ESL endorsement, Carras said, and staff will hold informational sessions for interested teachers in January. Carras said the district currently has about 22 teachers with ESL endorsements and is hoping to add several more; "I'm hoping for 10 would be amazing," he said, referring to the number of additional participants he would like to recruit.
Trustees asked whether first-year teachers could access the benefit; staff said the MOU differs from current contract language by allowing currently employed teachers, including first-year teachers, to participate provided they meet the service requirement. The board approved the measure by roll call.
Next steps: human-resources staff will circulate program details and schedule informational meetings for interested employees.
