Douglas County approves matching grant to expand Peaslee Tech youth apprenticeship

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners voted unanimously May 27 to authorize a county matching grant to support an expansion of Peaslee Tech’s youth apprenticeship effort.

Jill (county staff) told commissioners the grant request was part of the 2026 budget and that staff and partners had followed up with district superintendents to assess school engagement. Jill said the county’s proposed matching funds would reimburse Peaslee Tech for commitments that expand the youth apprenticeship and Peaslee Promise programming.

Kevin (Peaslee Tech) told the commission that a primary federal support, the Meadowlark program, was ending and had previously provided roughly $1,200 per student. He said Peaslee served about 57 students in the last full term and expects approximately 78 in the fall, and that additional funding streams (including USD 497 CTE funds and district agreements with Baldwin and Eudora) are being pursued.

Commissioners asked for further detail on funding sustainability and district participation; Kevin and staff said they are pursuing district memorandums of understanding and alternative grant streams to reduce ongoing reliance on one source.

After public comment — including one in‑person speaker who offered to support complementary pilot programming for youth — Commissioner Kelly moved to authorize the county administrator’s office to proceed with the proposed apprenticeship challenge grant; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The county will now move to formalize agreements and administer the matching funding in coordination with Peaslee Tech and school districts.