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   Northland Community Schools is continuing to expand opportunities for students through its participation in the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative (IASC) Career Pathways program.

   Career Pathways Director Scott Patrow provided the Northland School Board with an overview of the program during the board’s Sept. 16 meeting, explaining how the program helps students explore career options, gain hands-on experience and prepare for employment, college or technical education.

   Patrow said the program currently supports up to eight career pathways, focusing primarily on high-demand, high-wage careers in northeastern Minnesota. Northland students currently have opportunities in automotive and transportation, business, construction, education, health care and manufacturing, among other areas.

   The program is designed as a progression, beginning with exploration, where younger students are introduced to different career areas, moving into experiencing, where students receive more in-depth instruction, and eventually excellence, which provides opportunities for students to go beyond traditional classroom experiences.

   For Northland students, Patrow highlighted opportunities such as automotive and small-engine courses, business classes, construction and manufacturing instruction, health care coursework and the education pathway. Some programs are offered at Northland, while others are available through shared programming with neighboring schools.

   The education pathway, for example, connects students with Itasca Community College through the Class Act program, allowing students to earn both high school and college credit. Patrow said these types of college-in-the-schools opportunities can help students save both time and money after graduation.

   Patrow also highlighted the program’s internship opportunities. Northland currently has two students signed up for internships. He explained that the internships are more than traditional part-time jobs. Students receive a training plan and agreement outlining their educational experiences, along with career preparation such as OSHA certification, resume writing, job applications and interview skills.

   Board member Tyler Seifert also asked about whether students can receive college or technical-school credit for Career Pathways coursework. Patrow said college-in-the-schools courses generally provide college credit, but receiving technical-school credit for other high school coursework remains an ongoing challenge. He said the IASC continues to work with post-secondary institutions on ways to make the transition easier for students.

   Patrow said the program also provides an alternative for students who may not see a traditional college-preparatory high school experience as the best fit. Through internships and other pathway opportunities, a student could spend part of the school day in classes and the remainder working in a career-related setting while still earning high school credit.

Northland currently has eight students formally identified as being in a Career Pathway, with the potential for additional students to enter pathways as they select electives and explore career interests.

   The program also introduces students to career options before they reach high school. Eighth-grade students participate in activities designed to expose them to the various pathways and help spark interest in potential careers.

   Patrow said the ultimate goal is for students to complete a pathway before graduation, giving them a sense of accomplishment and greater confidence in their preparation for whatever comes next, whether that is entering the workforce, attending a two-year technical or community college, or pursuing a four-year degree.

   Later in the meeting, the Northland School Board approved the 2026-2027 Next Career Pathways Programming Agreement between IASC and Northland Community Schools, continuing the district’s participation in the Career Pathways program for the coming school year.

   In other Board action:

   • Accepted donations from the following: $3,000 from the Longville Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for the trap team; $3,000 from Outing Chamber of Commerce for band; $1,500 from Hill City Thrift Shop for PBIS; $1,440 from Lakers Lions Club for band; $20 from Jo A. Pommier for Volleyball; a Jupiter trumpet and CB percussion practice kit from Sarah Dixon and a Bundy clarinet from Renee Dickinson.

   • Approved the 2026-2028 MSEA Master agreement.

   • Approved revisions to the 2026-2027 Mentor Handbook.

   • Approved the 2206-2027 agreement for Early Learning Services between Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and ISD #118.

   • Approved setting the proposed levy limitation and certification for 2027, payable in 2028, at the maximum, but did mention if the referendum passed the board would under levy in December.

   • Set the date and time for the Truth in Taxation meeting for Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.

   • Approved the hiring of Mandy Jones as Senior Class Advisor; Rachael Wright as Paraprofessional; Kimmi Parent as Paraprofessional; Wendy Gray as Title I Academic Interventionist; Val Golden as Custodian; Mike Basta as Bus Driver and Mathew Hilton as Junior High Football Coach.

   • Accepted the resignation of Myah Hess as Paraprofessional, effective Aug. 10. 

   The board has scheduled the following meetings: the regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. and the Truth in Taxation meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. all meetings are held at Northland High School.

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