Last Updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 5:09 PM CST
School-To-Work Coordinator approved by School Board
By Chantel Balzell - Daily News Staff - cbalzell@rhinelanderdailynews.com
After receiving strong support from audience members, school board members approved the hire of a temporary part-time School-To-Work Coordinator position at the Rhinelander High School (RHS).
The coordinator position will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007. The candidate will be responsible for helping students find places of employment, developing contacts with various businesses, working with faculty, administering job shadow opportunities and hosting career fairs and expositions.
“When the current School-To-Work Coordinator came on board, I was one of the people who wasn't too thrilled with putting money toward that position because I have been here for years when it wasn't fruitful,” RHS guidance counselor Cheryl Hanson said.
“I am no longer a doubter, I'm a supporter.”
According to School District of Rhinelander Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roger Erdahl, Rhinelander has had a School-To-Work program for several years, adding “it's been a long-standing program in Wisconsin.”
Currently, funds are available in the School District of Rhinelander's budget to hire a temporary part-time coordinator for the remainder of the school year at a salary of approximately $40,000. The School-To-Work program is financially supported through a $34,000 grant.
“We are in dire need of the coordinator to help us with this,” RHS Technology and Education Department Chair Mike Wojtusik said. “I received an article for a College Times magazine that said $1.3 billion has been put forth for the technology and career-based education, and its going to be a shame if we don't have somebody who's going to be able to tap into some of that money for us. But I guarantee it's going to far exceed her part-time pay.”
Many residents championed the need for a coordinator to interact with local businesses when assisting students in the job search.
“There is nobody else in this district who has that kind of connection to the business community,” Hanson said. “It takes more to place a student than just a quick phone call saying ‘hey, how would you like to have somebody in your business.' It takes that relationship with that employer.”
Hanson says the program is beneficial to students who stay in the city as well as at-risk and college-bound students.
Oldenburg Lake Shore plant manager Dan Bruso even encouraged board members to expand the coordinator's position to full-time employment, claiming he “can't say enough what this program means to the students and the school,” and “to business and industry area, too.”
“Stretch a little,” Bruso said. “Really what this is all about is the students.”
The proposal to hire a part-time School-To-Work Coordinator was submitted at the Dec. 11 Operations and Strategic Planning Committee. After hearing input from faculty and business representatives, school board members approved the position 7-0.
“I had the opportunity last Monday to sit in on the Operations Committee, and I was able to hear the discussion between the staff and the board and I'm just very supportive of re-instating this position for the remainder of this year,” Rhinelander school board member Debra Durchslag said.
In other business:
- The board approved the November payment of claims and contracted services in the amount of more than $2 million.
- The rate increase of the Transportation Contract for the 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 was authorized. There will be a 2 percent rate increase each year. The contract will be renegotiated at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
- The board authorized the 2007 Recommended Resolutions from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), which will go before the Delegate Assembly Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. during the State Education Convention. Rhinelander board member Debra Durchslag will represent the board this year and board member Paul Tubbs will fill as an alternative delegate.
- The board accepted a $250 donation from Michael Barber of Parker, Colo. for the Loralee Gates Memorial Scholarship.
- A motion was approved allowing the Northwoods Passage and Oneida County to continue to cross school district property for a snowmobile trail for one year.
- The board made two motions, approving a policy for a healthy school environment and for infectious disease and pandemic flu.
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