Board approves K–12 teacher apprenticeship application with local partnerships
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Summary
Board approved a teacher apprenticeship application that would have Franklin County Schools host a K–8 apprenticeship pathway, partnering with BCTC and EKU; juniors and seniors could be hired as paraeducators and earn up to 12 college credits, with potential funding support referenced from Senate Bill 22.
The Franklin County Schools board approved the district's application to host a K–12 teacher apprenticeship program focusing on K–8 pathways.
John Sanders (Speaker 9) described the apprenticeship as an add‑on to existing dual credit offerings, allowing juniors and seniors to enter an education pathway, be hired by the district as paraeducators, take paraeducator coursework and earn up to 12 credits with Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The program partners include BCTC and EKU and is intended to create a pipeline of local teachers who might return to teach in Franklin County.
Sanders and the superintendent noted the apprenticeship is in early stages but promising; they also said Senate Bill 22 could provide funding for required classes so many courses would be free to participants. The board complimented Sanders and other collaborators and approved the application by voice vote.
The program is described as K–8 focused for certification reasons, and district staff noted complexities with high school certification and concerns from some that earlier credentialing could produce very young teachers; the program as presented emphasizes paraeducator experience and coursework rather than immediate high school certification.