By: Tim Kays
At their March 8 meeting, members of the Bryan City Schools Board of Education received reports on the district’s internship and mentoring program…the Bryan Schools’ Workforce Development Program.
Educator Veronica Arthur gave a history of the program, saying, “Back in the early 90s, my understanding is there was a huge committee comprised of teachers and business people in the community.”
“They researched and they came up with what was formerly our Trust Program. Some of you might remember that.”
“Some of you might have had students who participated in that. Those students spent two days out in our community, doing community service, learning about philanthropic organizations, activities, just giving them lots of ‘lending a hand.’”
These students spent the other two days of the program in the classroom, earning their senior English and social studies credits.
“When that program began to be phased out,” Arthur continued, “…we had a few years where we literally had just five or ten students a year who were looking for something to help them make up their minds about their futures.”
“We were looking for some mentoring opportunities and internship type activities. We stopped for two years. That sort of fell into our counselors’ lap. That was a big job, so we transitioned to what is now known as the Workforce Development Program.”
“The first year in the Workforce Development Program was in 2016-2017…the first class to go through and to actually fall under our new guidelines and things that are a little bit more activity focused, things that allow our interns to reflect being mentored in a little bit more meaningful way.”
“Our students are definitely our stars in this program. The work that they do day-in and day-out, the way they represent Bryan High School, it makes me proud every single day.”
“Right up there with them are their site supervisors who, day-in and day-out, come up with meaningful activities for them. They write letters of recommendation for them; they evaluate them quarterly.”
“They work side by side with them and help them to develop skills that they will need for college and the professional world, and that’s where they’re entering next.”
“But they also just form great relationships with our kids, and that’s always a positive to have great, positive role models in your life.”
“Mrs. Arthur has been the driving force behind this program,” said Superintendent Mark Rairigh. “We sat down and we decided that we really wanted to put a strong focus on college and career readiness.”
“She completely dove 1,000% into this, and has made this what it is today; it’s just a phenomenal program.”
District Treasurer Kevin Schafer reported the receipt of the district’s ESSER II (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) allocation. The Bryan City School District was slated to receive ESSER II funds in the amount of $1,123,322.14.
In personnel moves, the Board hired Brandy Rodeheaver as Payroll and Benefits Specialist at a rate of $20.50/hr, effective March 8.
The Board agreed to the transfer of Abbey Hughs to 3rd Grade Teacher, Lauren Lockwood to 3rd Grade Intervention Teacher, and Callie Thiel to 5th Grade Intervention Teacher for the 2021-2022 School Year.
The Board accepted the retirements of Cindy Sinclair, Aide Non-Special Ed Elementary, effective August 1, 2021, and Theresa Wieland, 6-12 Secretary, effective June 15, 2021. The Board accepted the resignations of Emily Nagy, Teacher, effective May 29, 2021, and Amanda Carlin, Bus Driver, effective March 1, 2021.
Tim can be reached at tim@thevillagereporter.com
