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Lewis Central outlines expanded K–12 career and academic plan, boosts college-credit and credential opportunities
Summary
High school assistant principal Jamie Jesserson briefed the board on expanded K–12 career programming, reporting growth in internships and concurrent-enrollment with Iowa Western and plans to pursue grant funding for industry credentials such as OSHA 10 and CNA.
Jamie Jesserson, identified by the board as a high school assistant principal, presented an overview of the district’s Career and Academic Plan during the June 1 meeting.
Jesserson said the district has expanded counseling and career-readiness work beyond high school to include elementary and middle school students. She described structured middle-school career exploration that culminates in eighth-grade four‑year planning and reiterated the district’s practice of revisiting plans annually with counselors and families.
The presentation listed several work-based learning offerings and credential opportunities. Jesserson reported eight students participated in internships this year, with roughly 15 students already signed up for next year. She and staff said students completed industry-recognized credentials this year, including CNA programs through Iowa Western, OSHA 10, ServeSafe, Snap-On credentials and Project Lead The Way end-of-course assessments.
Jesserson described two large outreach events: an October college fair that registered about 740 students and hosted roughly 54 colleges, and a February trade fair with about 600 student registrations and 36 businesses. On concurrent enrollment, staff reported approximately 450–500 students will take Iowa Western courses next year — roughly half the district’s high-school population — and said nearly 50 seniors are on track to earn associate degrees next year. She noted the Class of 2026 had nearly 80% of graduates who had taken at least one Iowa Western course by graduation.
On next steps, Jesserson said the district will pursue a “credentials to careers” grant with partner districts to expand access to OSHA 10 and other certifications and is exploring embedding more industry-recognized credentials in welding and other CTE pathways. The district also plans to implement the IAN K–12 college-and-career-readiness curriculum next school year and continue expanding business partnerships and work‑based learning placements.
Board members asked how the rise of AI is affecting career planning, and Jesserson responded that the district focuses on teaching students transferable skills and keeping counseling current with evolving industry needs. Trustees also asked about early-grade career exposure and the district’s strategy for ACT testing; staff said early grades emphasize developmentally appropriate exposure and the district strategically offers the ACT to students for whom it matters for postsecondary plans.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said they will continue to pursue grants, refine credential pathways, and report back on implementation.
