MARSHALL — Things are coming together for a new entrepreneurship program for Lyon and Murray County high school students.

Earlier this week, members of the Marshall School Board approved a contract with Shanda Walker to serve as facilitator of Lyon and Murray County CEO.

In a report to the school board, MPS Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Ritter said Walker had accepted the position of facilitator for the CEO program in the 2022-23 school year.

“She brings entrepreneurial experience to the position and will lead the inaugural group of students beginning next fall,” Ritter said.

CEO — short for Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities — is a nationwide program for high school juniors and seniors. Students network with local businesspeople and get real-life experience in creating and running a business.

A group of area organizers, including local businesses and investors, began working to establish a CEO program in Lyon and Murray counties earlier this year. Part of the prep work involved conducting a search for a program facilitator.

At Monday’s school board meeting, board member Aaron Ziemer said he was part of the search committee that interviewed Walker.

“Shanda is really exciting, really enlightening. She’s going to do a wonderful job with our program,” he said.

MPS Superintendent Jeremy Williams said the CEO facilitator contract was a bit unusual.

“It’s completely funded by the donors,” Williams said. Meanwhile, Marshall Public Schools would hold the contract, and would work closely with the governing board for Lyon and Murray County CEO.

The $28,000 contract would be for 14 months, from May 2022 through June 2023.

School board members voted to approve the contract with Walker.

Williams said the CEO program has had a good response from area high school students, who were given the chance to register for the class this fall.

“There were more applications than there were slots,” Williams said. “But it was exciting to see the number of kids that applied.”

A student orientation for CEO is planned for May 23, Ritter’s report said. Ritter said students, parents and area CEO investors were invited to attend orientation.