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Douglas County approves matching grant to expand Peasley Tech youth apprenticeship
Summary
The county authorized matching funds on May 27, 2026 to support Peasley Tech’s youth apprenticeship and Peasley Promise campaign after staff and Peasley described recent federal funding losses and district partnerships; the motion passed unanimously.
Douglas County commissioners voted on May 27, 2026 to authorize county matching funds for the Douglas County Youth Apprenticeship challenge grant (Peasley Promise). County staff said the program had been discussed during the 2026 budget process and that district outreach and engagement details were included in the meeting packet.
Peasley Tech representative Kevin Kelly described a recent federal/state subsidy (referred to in the packet as the Metallark program) that is ending and had provided roughly $1,200 per student. Kelly said that funding loss affected apprenticeships and that the Peasley Promise campaign, district memoranda of understanding (particularly with USD 497) and other fund‑raising efforts were intended to help sustain enrollment without shifting costs to students. He reported about 57 students in the most recent term and an expected cohort of 78 in the fall, and said Baldwin and Odora accounted for the majority of current participants while 497’s participation is increasing.
Commissioners asked whether the county’s funds were one‑time and how the program planned to sustain itself; Peasley said the request is intended to leverage matching commitments and to be supplemented by district CTE funds, ongoing fundraising, and other supports. After discussion, a motion to proceed with the proposed apprenticeship challenge grant and associated matching funds was moved, seconded and approved by the board.
The county indicated the authorized support will be used to reimburse Peasley for matching community grants that directly support the youth entrepreneurship portion of the Peasley Promise campaign.
