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Public and business leaders press board on CTE cuts after metals instructor resignation
Summary
Students, employers and parents urged the Unified School District of Antigo to clarify changes to career and technical education programs after at least one longtime metals instructor resigned; speakers tied program reductions to diminished workforce pipelines and asked the board for transparent decision‑making.
Parents, students and local employers used the Antigo school board’s public‑comment period to demand clarity about planned changes to career and technical education (CTE) offerings after the resignation of a longtime metals instructor.
“Local businesses have invested thousands of dollars into our metals and machining program,” Chelsea Kubiakuk said, naming donors and arguing the district should be transparent about why programs are being restructured. She named Don Wertz and Waukesha Bearings’ contributions to the metals program and said the district had “lost not just a skilled metals instructor, but an incredible advocate and mentor for students.”
Sarah Cruz, who identified herself as an HR manager at Waukesha Bearings and a local employer, said more than 70% of her workforce came from the district’s CTE pipeline and warned that course reductions “are eroding the talent pipeline for our local economy.” Corbin Schrecker, president of the Antigo FFA, told the board a departing teacher was a key supporter who helped students obtain apprenticeships.
Board members discussed why the CTE program was not placed on the meeting agenda and reiterated the distinction between board responsibilities and day‑to‑day administration. “The school board does not do the day to day operations,” Dr. Barto said during discussion; board members said many operational decisions — including class scheduling and curriculum assignments — are made by district administration. Several board members suggested the matter belongs at a committee level (curriculum and instruction) so the board can receive a formal report and consider policy options.
The board did not take immediate action to reverse curriculum changes at the meeting. Several members said they would consider adding CTE to an upcoming committee agenda so the administration could present details to the board and public. Commenters asked the district to publish program changes and staffing decisions with greater lead time and to engage community partners involved in equipment donations and apprenticeships.
