Santa Clara High’s volunteer woodturning program ends; district exploring limited adult‑ed offerings
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
The longtime volunteer woodturning program that supplemented Santa Clara High School’s CTE construction pathway has ended after the volunteer left and equipment access became constrained; the district says the core CTE construction pathway remains but woodturning was never in the official scope.
Trustee Andy Rotterman reported to the Santa Clara Unified School District board on Aug. 28 that a volunteer‑led woodturning program at Santa Clara High School — which had provided hands‑on extracurricular experience related to the construction CTE pathway — has effectively ended.
What the report said: The district described the program as a "unique, low‑cost, nontraditional vocational woodturning program" run for more than a decade by a vetted volunteer in partnership with local woodturning clubs. The volunteer instructor is no longer on campus, some equipment became unavailable and volunteers’ facility‑access arrangements did not meet district requirements for ongoing use. The district said alternatives are being explored.
District response: Assistant Superintendent Damon Knaebel told trustees the woodturning activity "was never part of the scope and sequence for the construction class" and was added by a volunteer rather than being required curriculum. He said the district is working with the construction teacher to strengthen units within the construction program. Deputy Superintendent/Chief Business Official Mark Shield noted technical and funding constraints tied to reallocating CTE‑purchased equipment and the complexity of moving equipment to an adult‑education site.
Community reaction: Trustees and community members called the program a treasured volunteer contribution, noting donated equipment and years of donated instruction. Trustee Rotterman said the loss of the program is "sad" and that students lost a hands‑on learning opportunity; he urged the district to explore alternatives.
Next steps: District staff reported ongoing conversations with the former instructor about possible evening adult‑education classes and said some equipment remains in storage while administrative and technical steps are worked out to reallocate resources. The board did not take formal action; staff directed community members to email the board or superintendent for follow‑up.
Ending: The CTE construction pathway at Santa Clara High remains, district officials said, but the volunteer woodturning component that had supplemented the program is no longer available to students pending any new arrangements.