Manitowoc committee approves MOU with CESA 7 for discounted licensure programs; district cites $171,000 current tuition commitments

District staff recommended entering an MOU with CESA 7 to provide a discounted educator‑preparation/licensure pathway for employees the district is paying to license or who choose to enroll. The committee approved the agreement and recommended it to the board or approved it in committee depending on the item’s packet status.

Speaker 3 described the partnership and cost structure: CESA 7’s programs cost about $9,000 per licensure pathway, and the MOU includes a tiered discount that reduces per‑person cost by roughly $500 depending on enrollment bands. Staff explained the initiative would be applied when the district is paying tuition assistance and that the MOU would require educators the district funds to use the CESA 7 pathway when CESA 7 offers that licensure area.

Speaker 3 said the district currently has about $171,000 committed for tuition assistance for staff and argued the MOU would yield cost savings and provide a mentorship‑oriented route into licensure. Board members asked that staff ensure educators understand the commitment terms (including a typical five‑year service commitment tied to tuition assistance) before signing.

Speaker 2 moved and Speaker 1 seconded; committee members voted in favor.