by Mary Rupert
The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education on Tuesday night approved a cadet corrections program that would allow high school seniors to work in the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department.
The program needs joint approval of the school board and the Unified Government.
The program’s goal is to prepare students for a career in the corrections field.
In the program, cadets will be in training to eventually become a correctional specialist. It is a one semester program.
There are a number of tests and screenings that students must take to qualify for the program, as outlined in the agreement.
Students will be in the program two days a week.
Up to 10 part-time positions will be available for a term not to exceed six months, according to the agreement. Up to 300 hours of education and
training will be provided.
At graduation, the student will be eligible for full-time employment with the Sheriff’s Office.
At a Monday night UG standing committee meeting, it was stated that there are currently two students in the program.
The UG also heard about another program to involve high school students at its Monday meeting.
A similar program for 911 call takers was discussed.
In a partnership with the KCK Public Schools, the 911 call takers would be high school seniors in training for a career, according to police officials who spoke at the UG meeting.
A 320-hour curriculum that is structured would include a number of certifications the students could receive, eventually leading to a job at the
communications center.
This program would begin in the spring of 2024, and eventually it would branch out to engage with other high schools in Wyandotte County, according to the plan.
The students would be paid around $15 an hour.
Students also would be graded, with grades counting toward their graduation.
UG Commissioner Christian Ramirez supported the program, saying it was important to get students involved early while in high school.
Currently this program could accommodate up to four students, according to the police department. It’s starting as a pilot project.
Commissioner Harold Johnson said eventually it could be expanded to all schools.
Commissioner Mike Kane said they’ve been working on the project a long time, and he hoped to open the program to other districts in Wyandotte County.
Assistant County Administrator Bridgette Cobbins said the program originally was the idea of KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman, who met with the commission and described his ideas, including working closely with the Kansas City, Kansas, School District for implementing student career programs.
To reach Mary Rupert, editor of Wyandotte Daily, email [email protected].