JTED Key Points

1. JTED Key Points • JTED is a Joint Technical Education District created pursuant to statute (See A.R.S. Sections 15-391 through 396) • JTEDs are funded by the state @ 5 cents per $100.000 of assessed value. (= $5.00 on a $100,000 home). • JTED is an independent, separate district, not related to existing school districts, however JTEDs do work in concert with existing school districts. • Student has to go to an additional campus, not just to the JTED. • Diplomas still come from the home campus. • JTEDs generate additional funding for the district • Instructors must be CTE (Career and Technology Education) certified • Courses must supplement existing programs, not supplant them • Charter school students qualify at 2.5 level. Home schoolers may qualify, but on a tuition basis. (Working on legislation to allow home schoolers too) • There are 13 JTEDs in State of Arizona • It takes about 2 years to get voter-approval and get JTED implemented

2. Feasibility Study - ask students, businesses, parents and educators about their educational needs. Establish a Steering Committee Create a JTED Plan - this is a critical component as it establishes the general structure of the JTED (but does not focus on the details). Present the Plan to State Board of Education for approval. If the plan is approved, it is presented to two local district governing boards. If it is not approved, it must be revised until it meets the Board’s requirements. After approval of the Plan by the State Board of Education and local boards, an election is called. Formation of a campaign committee The campaign process is like any other, but if either district votes “no” the JTED is rejected. If both districts approve the JTED, implementation begins. Governing board is established JTED policies are established Intergovernmental agreements are obtained/implemented JTED Classes begin JTED Process

3. Is there a perceived or real need in Yuma County for a JTED? Yes, for the following reasons: • Allow for a combination or pooling of resources to take advantage of economies of scale, underutilized resources (for example demand for classes outstrips supply, due to a lack of resources at individual schools). • It will ensure that programs align with community needs, allowing for continuance of existing programs. • Allows for flexibility in programs and how they are run. • The more JTEDs AZ has the more they can expand the political offerings. • Provides interesting educational opportunities for students who lack an interest in traditional education - foster a student’s interest in his/her own education. • Allow students to graduate from high school with skills to make a living. For example, many medical programs can be trained in 1 year, if we had the programs. In NYC every burrough offered certain votech programs that were not duplicated in the different burroughs. 97% of those students were graduating. They could pick which HS to go to based on their career choice.

4. Businesses will need technical programs to prepare employees for future careers (for example, careers in the solar industry). Creates work ready students. • Increase the quality of education. • Provide same career opportunities as in metro areas - allows local students to compete with students across the state, nation and globe. • Set community up for success. • Provide ready pool of qualified employees in the community. • Teach work ethics. • JTED will need to be explained to community. Clear pathways are needed from JTED to college. Must ensure programs are accredited. • Allow students to earn college credits. • Infrastructure needed to incorporate MCAS and YPG in a higher level of education after high school JTED is completed. • There are programs set up with RCBH already, but JTED would help with funding to expand programs in place. • Addresses a current challenge: limited clinical time needed for students – CNA program around the state.   • Allow for JROTC programs which would fit in well with Yuma County’s military.   • Ensure that a share of State JTED money returns to the community.

5. What are the benefits of forming a JTED in Yuma County? Challenges or concerns? • Education issues sell well in Yuma County • Generation of revenues at local level • Something that sells itself, benefits everyone • Bring estimated $4.Mill into technical education programs • Enable existing programs to be improved • Possible corporate investments/grants • Reduce poverty – people have sense of worth • Recruiting tool for schools • Pooling existing instructors/resources to increase educational offerings • Stand-alone program with a certificate provides credibility • Establishes career path • Increase student retention rates • Provides educational resources that students cannot obtain anywhere else in the community.

6. Benefits this community, not somewhere else. This community already shares educational services more effectively than elsewhere. This would be a continuation of that history (including a partnership between business and educational communities). • Identifiable funding source allows for stronger, less precarious educational programs (no scrambling to keep funding up; with JTED, funding is by law). • Allows for a more efficient means of providing educational programs. • Brings more educational funds into the community. • Allow students without the funds to enroll at AWC votech or other costly programs to still have access to those educational programs. • Meets the needs of the community workforce/employers • Allows students to earn a certificate showing they meet industry standards - in some instances having certification is as important as a degree. • Employability out of high school is sometimes what sustains students. • Provides options for students who are interested in other types of educational programs. • Provides an opportunity for students to experience college campus and to motivate them to grow and meet other young people. • JTED funding will allow for construction of additional buildings and infrastructure.

7. JTED funding can be used to improve existing programs. • Rolling resource center would benefit rural areas and circulate through district. • Allows for video classes that are expensive, but very portable • Keep qualified students in the community; human resource retention. • Multiplier in economic development • Allows students throughout the community access to the same high level of education/facilities. • Students will be become aware of what industries and opportunities currently only available elsewhere. But there will be challenges: • A feasibility study will be needed • Must be marketed to the community (an positive example of community marketing is the marketing of the library bond - explain the funding aspects). • Convincing the East County (east of Telegraph Pass) that a JTED will be to their benefit. BOTH DISTRICTS must agree to it (use the library district as a model – they promised libraries in Wellton, and they bought into it. • Convincing voters this is better than securing additional funding for the school districts. • Logistical issues - high travel times and distances for students in outlying communities. • Will the JTED funding mechanism change in the future?

8. What skills sets are desired by potential employers? • Social/interpersonal skills. • Fundamentals: Dependability and strong work ethic • Responsibility • Courteous work habits • Communication skills • Consideration of others • Ability to be a lifelong learner • Ability to learn new technologies quickly and apply to current job • Teamwork. • Customer oriented service • Engineering • Automotive • Fully trained employees • Health Services (for example, medical lab technicians, pharmacy techs, rehabilitation techs, paramedics and radiology techs)

9. Environmental Services • Agricultural Services (knowledge to operate agricultural equipment that incorporates high technology equipment such as GPS systems) • Food Safety • Certifications/Credentials of skill level (for example, CAD certification) • Hospitality • Construction • Maintenance • Logistics • Public Safety • Business acumen • computer skills • Accounting • electronics, instrumentation • Woodworking/carpentry, • SOFT SKILLS: Looking for employees not only w/technical skills, but also soft skills such as being respectful, dressing appropriately, showing up on time, not stealing, communication skills, understanding a work hierarchy, solid language and writing skills - Many of the skills parents used to teach.

10. What partnerships would be important for the development of a JTED? Schools? Employers? Other? • Private Industry (to provide backing and educational resources - adjunct teachers) • Hospital • Chamber of Commerce • YBEC • PASS Program • Arizona Western College • NAU - Yuma • YMA • GYEDC • Agricultural Industry • Vocational Education faculty • School Boards • Special Education Programs – Transition Programs • Middle School out reach • School Counselors • Government - local, state and federal elected and appointed officials and agencies

11. Public Library District • Financial watch dog groups to insure fiscal responsibility • Chamber of Commerce/GYEDC/Visitors Bureau • Various professional organizations • Other JTEDs • Votec programs outside state • Municipalities • Representation from top employers and agriculture • YPIC • Law enforcement • Tribes • Service industry • Yuma Farm Bureaus • Cooperative Extension

12. Who in the community should serve on the JTED Advisory Council? • Advisory Council resources: Charter & home schools, students, reps from diff. major employers, farm bureau, agricultural council. • Consider not only what we have now, but what we want in future. • Suggest not getting too big with advisory council. • Employers who will likely hire JTED graduates • Both major corporations with a local presence and small business • School Board members • District Representatives • Community College Representatives • School Superintendent (neutral leader) • A representative from each school • charter school representatives • People who have a strong influence in the community • People from ALL parts of the County • Try to ensure equal representation from the business and educational communities 

13. What are the additional questions your group has for the panel? Why are the schools not piquing student interest in existing programs? • Panel Answer: K-12 teachers need opportunities to visit industries- healthcare, mechanical, etc., and will return to class with relevant information about what is needed for a career in these industries. • Should the students/parents be surveyed? • Panel Answer: YES-surveyed students the last 2 years on electives. One popular interest that came out from survey was health occupations. Majority of students, 90% in Yuma, graduate, but interest in a particular field comes when they are 20-25yrs old. Adults see that education is needed. • Explain the JTED taxation scheme. • Panel Answer: 5 cents per hundred dollars. For a business it would be twice as much as residential. Benefit for the business is a lot more value than what they are paying. From General funding of state JTED- depends on ADM quantity at Yuma JTED. Estimated to be $4,000,000.

14. Is the Yavapai Advisory council effective in getting business input to curriculum developers? • How does Yavapai JTED provide classes over long distances, especially where a topic is not conducive to video training (e.g., welding)? • Panel Answer: If surgery can be taught online, then pretty much anything can be taught online. Discussion about mobile classrooms will have to come from JTED committee. • Are we restricted by school zones? • Panel Answer: If taught at college that would be dual credit. If it is already created by a specific school/district then an outside district student will have to pay tuition. • How much business involvement does Yavapai County have in its JTED? • Panel Answer: Although educators must be involved to form a JTED, business interest are the driving force behind selling a JTED to a community. There is a powerful partnership between education & business.

15. The End