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County economic development seeks partnership as Career Academy faces uncertain future
Summary
Pocahontas County Economic Development leaders and the school board discussed options after Iowa Central signaled it might end support for the Career Academy over low enrollment; presenters outlined costs, enrollment history and proposed local internship partnerships and pledged to return with options by July 1.
Jessica Film Meer, chair of the Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission, told the Pocahontas Area Community School District board that county economic-development leaders came to the meeting to discuss the future of the regional Career Academy and explore alternatives if Iowa Central withdrew support.
"I'm Jessica Film Meer. If you don't know me, I am the chairman of economic development for county," she said, introducing Mary Joe Litweiler, who she identified as the commission's executive director. The presenters said the academy — which focused on welding and manufacturing — has seen enrollment decline and that Iowa Central recently told partners it could stop funding the program.
Why it matters: the Career Academy connects high-school students to paid internships and dual-credit coursework that local employers say helps build a skilled pipeline for county businesses. Board and county representatives said the loss of Iowa Central support would leave the district and partner towns to decide whether to continue the program, redesign it, or shift to a locally managed internship model.
Key details from the presentation: presenters said Iowa Central estimated roughly $54,000 over five years for the academy's costs; if a partner district withdrew, the per-district share could rise to about $81,000 over five years plus student tuition costs. County leaders described success stories of local employers hosting student interns and urged the district to seek business commitments before investing in new equipment or instruction.
"I just want the best for the students," Mary Joe Litweiler said, describing efforts to place students in paid internships and cautioning that instructor payroll is a major cost for vocational offerings.
Board members asked detailed questions about equipment ownership (presenters said buildings belong to local districts and much equipment was purchased or provided through Iowa Central), instructor availability, insurance and liability for under-18 students working on job sites, and whether businesses would invest in training or equipment. Several board members urged the district and county economic development to gather specific business needs and come back with practical, costed options.
Next steps: presenters and the board agreed to reconvene. Board members set an administrative target of having a tentative plan by July 1 for the coming school year and asked county economic development and district staff to meet with local employers and return with options for internships, shared staffing or partial-cost arrangements.
What remains unresolved: Iowa Central’s final decision and the exact level of business financial commitments; insurance limitations for under-18 internships also require follow-up research.
Ending: The district and county agreed to pursue joint outreach and report back to the board with specific proposals and cost estimates in the coming weeks.
