Norris adds ag, welding and work‑based pathways as CTE program undergoes curriculum revision

Norris School District teachers and Career and Technical Education (CTE) staff presented a yearlong curriculum review and a slate of changes the board heard during the school board meeting.

CTE leaders told the board they rewrote course descriptions and identified new classes they plan to offer in the high school and middle school, including ag power technology, ag equipment maintenance technology, agronomy/precision agriculture, ag biotechnology, companion animal science and a dedicated fabrication/automation capstone. Staff said the changes are intended to create clearer program pathways from introductory to capstone courses and to expand opportunities for students interested in careers in agriculture, manufacturing, animal science, business and health fields.

Why it matters: district leaders said the move responds to industry changes and student interest, and to a faster five‑year CTE curriculum cycle required by state CTE standards. CTE teachers emphasized that updating courses and equipment will help students earn credentials, access dual‑credit options and enter work placements or postsecondary programs.

Details and resources - Program expansion: The CTE team proposed adding introductory and intermediate courses (for example, ag power technology leading to small engines and then to equipment maintenance), separating welding course offerings into clearer specialty tracks, and growing middle school ag offerings from an after‑school model toward a daily course to feed the high school program. - Work‑based learning: The department plans an on‑ and off‑campus work‑based learning (internship) program next year with about a dozen students signed up; placements mentioned included local businesses such as a farm implement dealer and a Hickman veterinary clinic. - Dual credit and CTSO tie‑ins: Staff said several courses will be offered for dual credit (for example, shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding through Southeast Community College and a “teaching as a profession” sequence through Wayne State College). Student organizations (FFA, SkillsUSA, Educators Rising) will be integrated into course work and state competition preparation. - Equipment purchases and grants: CTE leaders reported recent equipment investments made with grant funds and Perkins/ESU support — examples cited included a 3‑D printer, laser engraver, CNC mill and plasma table, a freeze dryer, multiple kitchen ovens and washers/dryers for FCS, and other shop equipment. The group said some purchases were funded through a state CTE allocation (about $7,500 per year distributed to Norris), earlier Perkins grants and foundation seed grants. A separate athletic/field fundraising grant (tennis facility) of just over $150,000 was also noted by others during the meeting.

Implementation and next steps Staff said they will finish standards alignment and course writing this spring and summer, finalize required materials, and present any required purchases to the board if costs exceed procurement thresholds. The district plans to pilot some new interventions and middle‑school courses next year and continue staggered implementation so classes and equipment are available when students register for fall schedules.

What district leaders said CTE teachers and program leads presented the materials to the board as a committee; district staff said the high‑school course catalog will be updated in time for registration. The district’s instructional leaders said they will continue to support teachers through implementation and monitor enrollment and staffing needs.

Looking ahead: The CTE team told the board it will return with finalized curriculum materials, alignment documents and a prioritized list of equipment needs for any board consideration this summer.