Board hears proposal to preserve College in the Schools as new credential rules take effect

District leaders told the Little Falls School Board on Dec. 16 that new Higher Learning Commission guidance requiring instructors of College in the Schools (CIS) classes to hold a master’s in the field or 18 graduate credits will be firmly in place for the 2025–26 school year, creating a risk that some current CIS offerings will lose local teacher eligibility.

Mr bori, identified in the meeting packet as the high school principal, reviewed options the district is considering to preserve and, in some cases, expand college credit opportunities for students. He described a co‑teach model offered by Central Lakes College (CLC) that would allow current classes to continue but at higher per‑section costs because a college staff member must be more involved in instruction and oversight.

Mr bori said that when staff are fully credentialed the district pays a flat fee for a course (he cited $3,000 per course for several classes taught locally by credentialed staff). By contrast, the co‑teach model increases district expense and — using current sections of college chemistry as an example — could total roughly $112,000 to run two sections under the co‑teach arrangement, a figure Mr bori presented as an estimate for planning and discussion.

Why it matters: CIS classes let students earn transferable college credits while in high school; the district and families use those credits to reduce future college costs and time to degree. New credentialing requirements and the higher cost of co‑taught sections could limit offerings unless the district secures funds, partners or staff incentives to get more teachers credentialed.

Mr bori stressed that many CIS credits (1400‑level classes) transfer across Minnesota state universities and that continuing the program helps keep students enrolled locally. He also urged the board to consider contract incentives to encourage teacher credentialing: "I would encourage you to think about ways to encourage our staff to go and get their advanced degrees so we can keep them here, keep our kids here and in the long run save us money," he said.

Board members asked practical questions about whether the district is committed to costs if low enrollment results in a course not running; Mr bori said the district only pays when the course is offered and that historically a 15‑student threshold has been used to consider whether to run a section. He said a formal written proposal will come to the board in January after final registration numbers are available.

Next steps: district staff will return in January with a formal proposal and registration figures so the board can weigh financial impacts, partnership options and potential contract incentives for credentialing teachers.