Alma students, staff highlight CTE month as district cites new grants, equipment and high participation

At the Alma School District board meeting, students and staff on Feb. 18 presented Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and described recent grants and equipment purchases the district says will expand hands‑on learning and industry‑recognized credentials for high school students.

District CTE coordinator Miss Parker told the board that February is National CTE Month and that the district had organized student presenters to “showcase the career pathways that we have for high school.” She said pathway and enrollment figures were drawn from the district’s eSchool records and that many students participate in more than one pathway.

The presentations emphasized student outcomes and extracurricular competition. Mason Collins, Alma FFA parliamentarian, highlighted the organization’s national scale and practical experiences, saying, “FFA cultivates skills for future success” and quoting the FFA motto, “learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve.” Xavier Herzig, a TSA state officer and student, said TSA competitions introduced him to engineering and leadership and helped shape his college plans: “TSA actually pushed me to pursue a leadership role.” DECA representatives said many members earn industry certifications and engage in community fundraising.

Why it matters: District leaders and presenters described CTE as a pathway into high‑wage jobs and as a means to keep students engaged in school. Administrators said industry‑aligned credentials and work‑based learning increase employability and college readiness for students who do not pursue a four‑year degree.

District and staff details: Superintendent Dr. Wood and CTE staff told the board the district has applied for and received multiple grants to support CTE. Items described during the meeting include 30 new computers for pre‑engineering coursework (procured through a state pre‑engineering grant), new welding equipment and a plasma cutter for agricultural/technical courses, and an ordered tractor simulator the meeting referenced in public comments as costing about $150,000 (the cost was stated during the meeting as an approximate figure). The presentation also noted plans to expand industry recognized credentialing and to develop internships and other work‑based learning tied to local employers.

Student participation and upcoming events: Presenters and school leaders reported high student involvement in CTE activities. Miss Parker and other speakers said the high school has broad participation across CTSOs (Career and Technical Student Organizations). The meeting included a slide note that 87 Alma students would attend the TSA state competition in Little Rock and a speaker’s estimate that roughly 90% of Alma High School students participate in a club or activity (this was presented as an internal estimate, not as an audited figure). The board was invited to a CTE showcase scheduled for Feb. 19 at 11:15 a.m.

Concerns and limits: Board members asked about post‑graduation tracking; administrators said the district conducts a basic follow‑up on graduates for the first two years but does not routinely compare long‑term career placements against students’ CTE participation. Dr. Wood acknowledged the district is working with the regional education cooperative and state CTE office to expand internship opportunities that align with pathways, but said availability will depend on what employers offer locally.

Ending: Presenters asked for continued board support for staffing, equipment and travel to competitions. Board members praised the program and noted the district’s effort to build pathways that start in elementary and middle school and continue through high school.