In an extended public comment period in late October, The Buena Vista Board of Education heard from a citizens group, in which 12 presenters asked for a plan to upgrade and expand Buena Vista High School’s shop programs into Certified Technical Education (CTE).
While the board made no decisions that evening and did not indicate that there would be any changes in the near future to the BVSD curriculum as a result of the requests, it did extend an invite to the presenters. The board set aside some time in the Monday evening’s meeting on Nov. 9 to talk about programs and opportunities that are already in play.
“As a follow up to your comments at the last board meeting, we’d like to invite you to a linkage with the board to further discuss the opportunities we offer for our High School students,” wrote board president Suzette Hachmann. “We would like to have a more open conversation with you, some of our staff members, and the Board as a whole.”
The group, coordinated by Nathrop residents David Holt and Richard Deckard, pointed out to the board that a third of high schoolers don’t attend college and that BV High School is missing an opportunity to expand its offerings into Certified Technical Education (CTE), in which students receive a diploma upon graduation as well as a certificate in a trade. They pointed to the current demand for construction services in the county and emphasized the shortage of skilled workers who school district live here, as well as statistics showing that CTE programs help increase graduation rates and overall student satisfaction with school.
In addition to the dozen presenters, three people joined in the meeting to support the existing programs at the school, saying that the district already engages students who are not college-bound and that in addition to the wood and metal programs already in place, there are opportunities for internships and other career pathways.
Holt told AVV that seven people had been invited back to the chat.
While the group may not get its wish this time around, Holt, Deckard and others remain convinced that CTE represents the future.
“We are surrounded by school districts that have taken action,” Holt wrote in an op-ed piece. “…The banner headline on the BV School District website reads, ‘Ensuring every student reaches the peak of success’. Is that even possible with only one pathway to graduation? The addition of optional skilled trades pathways in our high school would go a long way toward actually reaching that goal. Let’s do it for the kids, but let’s also do it for our community.”
The school board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88559550869?pwd=dnYyZDdFK0puK2FkYkpVVmdGMDh1dz09
Meeting ID: 885 5955 0869 Password: 1fs7uy
Or Dial +1-669-900-6833,,88559550869#,,1#,595266#
To maintain needed physical distancing in the boardroom, the district asks that you call the Admin Office (719-395-7099) by noon on Monday, Nov. 9, if you would like to join the meeting in person.
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