Kohler board hears early-college credit briefing and flags growing cost to district

Kohler School District Superintendent Lisa presented an overview of Wisconsin's Early College Credit Program (ECCP) and the Start College Now program at the district's Nov. 12 board meeting, explaining how the two programs differ, who is eligible and how the district pays for students'college credits.

Lisa told the board ECCP covers grades 9 through 12 and includes University of Wisconsin institutions and qualifying private colleges, while Start College Now covers grades 11 and 12 at Wisconsin technical colleges. "Students must notify the district at a certain time, I think February 1, February 1 and October 1 for the spring courses," Lisa said, describing state notification deadlines and program timing.

On funding, Lisa said the district currently covers the majority of costs for ECCP courses taken for high-school credit and estimated the program'wide exposure if every student used the full 18-credit allowance. "If we have 250 kids at our high school, and all 250 tapped into the 18 credits that they can, over that 4 year period, coming out of our fund balance, or our fund 10 is $750,000," she said, adding that equates to "about we're figuring about 200 to 300,000 a year as we move forward if everybody tapped into all 18 credits." She also summarized the typical cost split: "The school district takes 75% of the cost. The state does reimburse 25% of the cost," and described per-credit pricing at a discounted rate.

Board members asked about in-house dual-credit classes taught by certified district teachers versus students going off campus to colleges. A staff member explained dual-credit teachers must meet higher certification standards ("either has to have a master's in the course that they teach ... or get at least 18 credits") to qualify to teach for college credit on site. Board members noted that offering more dual-credit classes in-house could reduce district tuition outlays but would require staff certification and could affect course staffing and FTEs.

Courtney, a district staff member who collected comparative county data, told the board she is compiling student intent information. "I'm creating, all of my data is being collected in a Google form," she said, and expects to finish early December; Courtney said the district'level survey shows most nearby districts also tie to the 18-credit minimum and that Kohler's graduation-credit requirement is lower than several neighboring districts. Courtney warned staff anticipate a substantial uptick in participation next year: "we are going to have probably a 50% plus increase in these classes next year because the students are finally realizing, like, why wouldn't I do this?" she said.

Lisa and staff flagged two practical concerns: credits earned through technical colleges or UW branch campuses may not transfer to out-of-state schools, which matters in a district where a sizable share of students attend colleges out of state; and greater off-campus enrollment could reduce in-house class enrollment and affect staffing models.

Board members requested more precise cost projections after Courtney completes the Google-form enrollment intent survey; Courtney said she will share results and work with district finance staff to model dollar impacts. No formal action was taken; the board did not change policy at the meeting and will revisit budget figures once staff return with the enrollment and cost projections.

The presentation also reviewed program eligibility rules, online vs. on-campus delivery patterns and the state'mandated 18-credit support standard; board members pressed staff for follow-up on transferability of credits and potential district supports for teachers seeking dual-credit certification.