Southeast Missouri State University, Jackson R-2 School District leaders sign partnership agreement
JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – Leaders from Southeast Missouri State University and the Jackson R-2 School District signed a new partnership agreement for the SEMO Educators Advantage Program Friday morning.
The signing was held at the Ignite Center at Jackson High School.
This collaboration offers Jackson R-2 faculty and staff exclusive tuition discounts and special access to SEMO’s educational programs, cultural arts, athletics and more.
Semo President Dr. Carlos Vargas and Jackson R-2 schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Smith signed contracts and shook hands on a partnership that aims to better the local education system for years to come.
Dr. Vargas shares details about the new contract.
“Even though our tuition is affordable we are providing 20% discount for undergrad and other programs online and paraprofessionals programs.”
Through this new partnership district employees will also receive discounts for river campus and SEMO athletic events and memberships at SEMO recreation center.
Dr. Vargas says many of Jacksons high school students already attend SEMO through a separate program.
“We receive many of your students actually through the early college program.”
The early college program allows high school students to receive early college credits.
Jackson R-2 schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Smith shares how this partnership is helping more than just staff.
“Our students will benefit from this partnership because of the dual enrollment programs and other courses that we will be able to offer” says Smith.
Smith goes on to say the higher degree a teacher has the more education they can offer students. Through this partnership SEMO and Jackson schools are working together on a ‘grow your own teacher program’. Which is a strategy for developing and retaining teachers in a community.
Smith shares what the overall goal of the partnership is.
“To be able to help us in Southeast Missouri to be able to recruit and retain high quality faculty and staff.”
This is the second partnership SEMO has signed with a local school.
They signed a similar partnership with Cape Public Schools on August 8th and Dr. Vargas says they have plans of partnering with more schools in the future.
Stay with FOX23 News for more details.
Related story: Southeast Missouri State University signs partnership with Cape Girardeau Public Schools
