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Rainier Beach High School opens new building; alumnus credits student-workforce agreement for career turnaround
Summary
Superintendent Brent Jones and board members celebrated the opening of Rainier Beach High School's new building and heard from alumnus and apprentice carpenter Israel Presley, who credited the Student and Community Workforce Agreement with providing training, work experience and a pathway to homeownership.
Seattle Public Schools celebrated the opening of the new Rainier Beach High School building at the April 23 board meeting and screened a district "First Bell" video highlighting student achievement and recent school milestones.
Superintendent Brent Jones told the board the new building "is truly spectacular both in design and in spirit," and said students reported immediate pride and belonging on opening day.
Board members, staff and students praised the facilitys learning spaces and career-technical education opportunities. Directors said the building response reflected the decade-long capital planning work and the support of voters who approved measures that funded the project.
The board invited Rainier Beach alumnus Israel Presley to speak about the Student and Community Workforce Agreement, an apprenticeship and workforce partnership used on the Rainier Beach project. Presley described how the agreement gave him on-the-job training as an apprentice carpenter, enabled him to work on local schools, and helped him buy his first home at age 23.
"It allowed for students like me whose original plan fell apart to have a second chance," Presley told the board, citing the apprenticeships role in giving him skills, steady employment and community connection. "Every nail I struck, I had an image of that community. I wouldn't trade that for the world."
Directors noted the story as an example of investment in career and technical education and workforce partnerships that connect construction jobs and other apprenticeships to students and neighborhood residents. School leaders said they will continue to promote CTE, Bridges programs and other local pathways that support students pursuing postsecondary careers.
The opening and the student video were part of the superintendents remarks at the start of the meeting. The board also noted that other staff and district representatives were at national conferences and training during the meeting, and thanked community partners for philanthropic support of professional development opportunities.
