The Knoxville School Board approved a work based learning operational sharing agreement Monday night.

The Knoxville Community School District is creating a regional work based learning program that would be eligible for operational sharing with neighboring districts. This position would be 20% K-12 Career Readiness Coordinator and 80% Work Based Learning Coordinator. Knoxville will hold the contract and Twin Cedars, Pleasantville, and Melcher-Dallas will each pay 20% of the contract if their boards approve it. Knoxville Superintendent Cassi Pearson says the state has been putting emphasis on providing work based learning opportunities. 

“The State of Iowa has really been supporting and encouraging schools to do more things around work based learning. That included apprenticeships and internships. Governor Reynolds and the Department of Ed have put a lot of resources into that category and we’ve had a few of our neighbors inquire about if we would be interested in sharing a coordinator to continue to expand all of those programs.”

The coordinator will create business partnerships for work based learning opportunities within the region.