District details growth in dual-enrollment programs, eyes changes to cost-sharing

District administrators spent the bulk of the June meeting reviewing the Mineral Point Unified School District’s dual-enrollment offerings and cost model, saying the programs are expanding but carry affordability questions for some families.

Presenter Erica Brunson told the board the district had 48 students enrolled in CAP courses (college‑taught classes offered by university partnerships) who collectively earned 310 credits this year and that 86 students participated in at least one dual‑enrollment program overall. Brunson summarized five main pathways used by students: CAP (university‑based courses taught locally), Start College Now (technical‑college courses or programs), CollegeUp/Pathways programs, transcripted credit taught by district instructors who meet college criteria, and youth apprenticeship pathways that can pay for up to six credits per year.

Brunson said the district currently uses a 75/25 cost‑sharing model for CAP courses — families pay 25% of fees — and that other districts increasingly cover either a higher share or a fixed 100% for a capped number of credits. She said Mineral Point is among the few districts still using the 75/25 split and that many families benefit from youth‑apprenticeship funds or individual arrangements to remove barriers. “On average our graduating students left with about a year of college — roughly 17 credits — and 17 graduates exceeded 18 credits,” Brunson said.

Trustees pressed administration on equity and access: one board member asked whether families on free or reduced lunch automatically received the 25% waiver. Brunson replied that the waiver is not yet encoded in policy but that staff work case‑by‑case and have removed fees when families asked; staff noted the district will consider formalizing a waiver policy. Board members asked staff to model alternative cost shares, such as covering 100% up to 18 credits and sharing beyond that, to estimate budget impacts.

Brunson also described transferability limits: credits earned depend on the receiving institution’s policies. She said the district uses Transferology to estimate how Midwest schools accept specific courses but cautioned that institutions — notably UW‑Madison — may change their policies. The presenter urged continued counseling for students about pathways and recommended the board consider policy adjustments to reduce upfront family costs and increase use of apprenticeship funds when eligible.

The presentation ended with trustees asking staff to return with a cost‑share proposal and an analysis of which changes could be absorbed in the district budget or would require board action next fall. The board did not adopt a policy change at the meeting; staff were directed to prepare options for a future board discussion.