TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Shawnee County is looking to grow the number of court reporters through a new partnership program with Washburn University Institute of Technology.
The graduating class of four could join six others currently working in the Shawnee Co. District Court.
“We met hundreds, hundreds of times,” Lea Welch, court administrator, said.
Administrative officials with the third judicial court district had to lean quite a bit on the job while helping set up the newest Washburn Tech program.
“We didn’t know anything about setting up an accredited education program,” Welch said. “They didn’t know anything about being a court reporter, so we were each teaching each other something new.”
The work paid off as they watched the first batch of potential court reporters graduate.
This comes at a time when Shawnee County finds itself understaffed.
“We have 18 judicial divisions here in Shawnee County, and we have six court reporters,” Welch said. “So, obviously, we’re way understaffed. And we’re hoping we can scale this program and implement it in other districts state wide.”
They hope this class and others help its stable of crucial record-keepers back up.
Graduate and current transcriptionist Douglas Zilch came in not knowing much, but realized a passion for court reporting.
“It’s a lot of responsibility but it’s incredibly fulfilling,” Zilch said. “I, like she mentioned, I didn’t know about court reporters before starting this program. I’m really happy we’ve been able to get the word out there and let people know.
This first class helped iron out the program and feel prepared for their certification test.
“We have the test to go, so we still have another month of practice day in, day out, making sure we’re ready,” Zilch said. “But, this is a good first step to get to the end.”
The grads will remain transcriptionists until they take and pass their certification tests in April.
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