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Dr. Darren Reed outlines expansion of PHS career and technical education; reports nearly 700 students served
Summary
Dr. Darren Reed told the Board of Trustees that PHS has expanded CTE pathways, reporting nearly 700 students participating, multiple industry certifications, new dual-credit offerings and partnerships including an MOU with Jackson County Schools and a $20,000 grant for a lineman program.
Dr. Darren Reed, presenting at the Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 11, described the school’s career and technical education (CTE) programs, saying the program now serves close to 700 students and has expanded partnerships and certifications. "This is the most students we've ever had in our building," Dr. Darren Reed said as he outlined new and continuing elements of the CTE program, including elementary career fairs, in-school career exploration, year-long CTE programs, and a "get hired" workforce program that runs at night for underemployed adults. Reed reported that more than 550 students were enrolled in second-year CTE classes, and that more than 100 students were participating in work-based learning and apprenticeship-style placements. He said seven CTE programs offered dual credit this year, the first time the school has had that many, and that 506 students took industry certifications last year with 748 certifications attained (some students earned multiple credentials). Reed also said the program reported a 100% pass rate in health science exams and cited WorkKeys pass rates described in the presentation. Reed described business and community partnerships that place students with local employers, listing partners including Ingles, McDonald's (assistant manager program), Sand River (health science clinical placements), and others. He said the school has a memorandum of understanding to accept 10–12 students from Jackson County Schools for some clinical and CTE programs. Reed also said a $20,000 grant from a donor identified as Mrs. Powell is supporting a lineman program and that Mississippi Power provides hands-on lineman training components. Reed emphasized nontraditional participation and equity—he pointed to female students taking welding and male students enrolling in health science—and he described short-term community education courses offered at the school that trained 420 adults, with 379 hires reported and 78 program graduates returning for additional instruction. The presentation was informational; no board vote or policy change was recorded during the presentation. Board members asked clarifying questions during and after the presentation but no formal action on CTE programming was taken at that meeting.
