Kennett board approves MOU for ‘Grow Your Own’ program pending federal grant

Kennett Consolidated School District on May 13 approved a memorandum of understanding with Eastern University to establish a ‘Grow Your Own’ program designed to expand the district’s bilingual teacher pipeline if the district’s FY24 National Professional Development Grant application is funded.

District staff said the grant application was submitted the same day. The MOU would allow a cohort of paraprofessionals or administrative assistants to pursue undergraduate degrees with tuition and book support if the grant is awarded. "It is 15 total, 5 per school district," a district official said when explaining the cohort size and distribution.

Superintendent and board members framed the plan as one of several strategies to address teacher shortages and to increase the number of bilingual-certified educators. Board members asked that selection criteria and eligibility parameters be developed with human resources and school principals to ensure the program selects candidates who will have an immediate impact on English learners.

The board moved, seconded, and voted to approve the MOU; administration will report back to the board with updates on the grant decision and candidate-selection procedures. No funding commitment from the district was required until the grant award is confirmed.

Next steps: administration will monitor the federal grant review, develop selection criteria with HR and principals, and return to the board with an implementation plan if the grant is awarded.