choices that connect to real careers.” REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Those connections to real careers extend far beyond the classroom.The district’s JAG-K program—Jobs for America’s Graduates–Kansas—plays a central role in bridging school and work. JAG-K staff regularly bring business and military representatives into the schools to speak with students, while also organizing job-shadowing, volunteering, and handson experiences at local employers and nonprofits. Students have assisted at nonprofits and boutiques, helped set up community events, shadowed veterinarians, and explored a variety of workplaces. JAG-K staff keep in touch even after graduation, helping alumni with job applications and next steps when needed. PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEEPEN THE PIPELINE, PARTICULARLY IN HEALTHCARE. Through a collaborative CNA program, students complete both classroom hours and on-the-job training, graduating with certified nursing assistant credentials in hand. Dual-enrollment opportunities with Butler are extensive enough that some students finish their college graduation ceremonies before they walk across the high school stage. “There are students who graduate high school already holding industry-recognized certifications in welding, automotive technology, fire science, and other high-demand fields,” Koop says. “By eighteen, they can go straight into good-paying jobs.” The logistical barriers are low as well. Because Butler has a presence in El Dorado, some collegelevel courses are taught right on the high school campus by Butler faculty, making it easier on families and students. The college has also periodically offered tuition-free classes to high school students, depending on funding, further smoothing the path. Beyond college credit, the district uses the WorkKeys assessment to give students a portable snapshot of their workplace skills. Partnering with the chamber and local businesses, El Dorado helps students understand their results and use them in job searches, particularly in hands-on and technical roles. INVESTING CAPITAL WITH PURPOSE Behind the programming and partnerships is a disciplined approach to capital investment. In Kansas, districts may levy up to eight mills for capital outlay. For years, El Dorado sat below that cap, in part because major bond referendums had funded new facilities. The result is a district with relatively modern buildings and significant bond obligations, requiring careful prioritization of capital funds. 343 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 EL DORADO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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