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FFA and SkillsUSA leaders report medals, urge trustees to address student costs
Summary
Advisers and students presented the year’s FFA and SkillsUSA accomplishments — including district and state medals — and told trustees rising travel and participation costs mean students are paying substantial user fees.
Advisers and student officers updated the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees on FFA and SkillsUSA activities Tuesday, describing competitive medals, national convention participation and mounting student costs for travel.
SkillsUSA advisers reported 43 students registered for district SkillsUSA testing this year, with 12 students advancing to state competitions. Presenters listed district gold, silver and bronze medalists and said the school earned medals at the state contest (the transcript lists examples including a silver medal in an Internet-of-Things contest and other medalists by name).
FFA leaders described a busy season that included a national convention in Indianapolis, a visit to the State House in Boston and a Winter Leadership Camp. The presentation named teams and students who placed at state contests and said four Forestry teammates qualified to advance to nationals.
Trustees and advisers discussed rising out‑of‑pocket costs. When asked about a line item presented during the FFA briefing, presenters said the school budget contributes about $20,000 annually, fundraising typically adds nearly $10,000, and students currently make up the remaining difference (presenters described that difference as roughly $17,000). Advisers cautioned that travel and lodging increases have pushed per‑student costs higher; the presentation cited a figure of about $1,300 per pupil for attending a set of state‑level events and leadership activities.
Advisers asked trustees to consider long‑term program support because many of the trips and competitions rely on adviser goodwill and parent fundraising. Board members said they would note the request while trustees review budget options and event support for the coming year.
