Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has recognized Stafford High School as one of the most innovative schools in the state.
Stafford was the only Class 1A school in Kansas among 25 selected by Brownback for a new education program designed to help Kansas students achieve success in high school and prepare for skilled careers.
The goal of the program is to help at-risk students graduate from high school, obtain a GED, encourage them to pursue post-secondary education and find entry-level jobs with growth potential.
The “Jobs for America’s Graduates” (JAG) program is a national educational and employment system designed to improve graduation rates and academic achievement to help students succeed in school and in the workplace.
The nationwide JAG program has existed for 32 years and served more than 800,000 students in 33 states.  
“When these students earn a diploma or a GED, combined with job training, they will find career and life opportunities they may never have considered before,” said Gov. Brownback.
Brownback did his homework inviting Stafford, one of the state’s most innovative districts.
Stafford superintendent Mary Jo Taylor created a charter school for entrepreneurship, the Stafford Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center, also called the SEED Center.
In 2009, the center transitioned from a charter school to a career pathway under the career and technical education program.
Students learn entrepreneurship and marketing principles and put them into practice. Students are expected to participate in economic development and community service through local organizations.
A key tenet of this program is that students are to create and operate their own real-world businesses. Taylor credits instructor Natalie Clark for developing the SEED project.
Students’ businesses have featured laser engraving, garment printing, document printing, custom team apparel, photo editing and photography, digital conversion and movie creation, second-hand store, airbrushing, rhinestone and appliqués, candles and lotions, accent and accessory items.
Stafford has been way ahead of the game — planting business seeds for their students.
It’s great to know that the Governor has taken notice.
After all, as English cleric Charles Caleb Colton once said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
Jim Misunas