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Rowan County JAG students describe program impact; board approves JAG memorandum in consent agenda
Summary
At the March 17 board meeting, two Rowan County students in the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program described how JAG supports career preparation and personal recovery; the board approved a JAG memorandum of understanding for 2026–27 as part of a routine consent agenda.
At its March 17, 2026 meeting, the Rowan County Board of Education heard presentations from students in the district's Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program and approved a memorandum of understanding extending JAG services for the 2026–27 school year as part of the consent agenda.
Jordan Barker, introducing the JAG program, described it as an evidence-based, trauma-informed support system that provides individualized follow-up for graduates. "Once you leave my program as a senior, you get 12 months of additional follow-up one-on-one," Barker said, explaining the program's mixture of academic and career supports.
Ellie Williams, a JAG student who presented a career-preparation project on dentistry, told the board she chose the field because of local need and personal experience. Williams cited University of Kentucky figures she said showed Rowan County's dental provider-to-patient ratio rose from about 1:1,700 in 2018 to about 1:1,900 in 2023, and listed barriers residents face including provider shortages, Medicaid coverage limits, transportation and generational anxiety about dental care. "The need," she said, "is very high for oral medicine and dentistry in Eastern Kentucky and in our area." Williams said shadowing a local dentist helped confirm her career path and that she hopes to serve rural communities.
Jocelyn Ashley, who won first place at the state JAG competition, gave a personal testimony about overcoming childhood trauma and family addiction. "Programs like this don't just change resumes, they change lives," Ashley said, crediting JAG with rebuilding her confidence, improving her attendance and helping her earn a full scholarship. She told the board she now plans to pursue medical school.
Board members thanked the students and Jordan Barker for the presentations. Mr. Rowe noted the board would revisit JAG in the meeting's business items; the JAG memorandum of understanding for 2026–27 was included and approved in the consent agenda without separate debate.
What happens next: The MOU approved on the consent agenda will govern the district's JAG partnership for the 2026–27 school year (details of the MOU were listed in the meeting packet and were approved by voice vote).
