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Business and Education Partnership highlights DECA, SkillsUSA success; district reports enrollment growth and Grow-Your-Own teacher pipeline
Summary
Board heard a Business and Education Partnership update that showcased DECA and SkillsUSA student successes, growth in mentor programs and fundraising plans. District administrators reported rising enrollment, changes to the instructional calendar, and expansion of the Grow Your Own teacher pipeline and youth apprenticeship supports.
At the McFarland School District Board of Education meeting on March 3, presenters from the district’s Business and Education Partnership (BEP) reported on student career-program activity, awards and community partnerships, while district administrators reviewed enrollment trends, calendar changes and teacher-recruitment initiatives.
Turnitzer, one of the BEP presenters, told the board the district sent 54 competitors to the DECA district competition, with 19 advancing to state and "2 to 4 people going to the international competition," and praised DECA advisor Ginger for her work. Turnitzer also reported that SkillsUSA participation stands at about 20 students and is growing, and described BEP’s Student Employee Excellence Award, which recognizes a student employee monthly nominated by their employer.
The BEP update covered career-expo and advising events, a Reality Zone on March 18, senior exit interviews May 22–23, a planned real-world day at Indian Mound Middle School on May 1, continued mentoring emphasis for sixth- and seventh-graders and fundraising plans for branding, building announcement screens and club activities. A middle-school mentor program was cited as having 20 mentors with a goal of adding 10–15 more.
In the district administrator’s report, Mr. Tarnett said elementary enrollment is rising faster than middle- and high-school enrollment, that the 2025–26 calendar was approved with a two-week winter break and five flexible summer staff-development days, and that a marketing firm helped K–12 enrollment exceed expectations. He said the district is pursuing standards-based grading work for grades 6–12 and expanding its Grow Your Own program: special-education assistants may receive paid coursework toward teaching certification, staff with bachelor’s degrees can pursue certification and a master’s through Edgewood College at reduced rates, and the district plans to use litigation-settlement funds for youth-apprenticeship stipends.
Administrators and board members discussed supports for students leaving virtual programs; some board members expressed concern about students who leave virtual providers and the practicalities of re-enrolling in resident districts.
The board also heard numerous recognitions and event announcements including orchestra, solo-ensemble, robotics teams advancing to state, and upcoming community and fundraising events.
"We had 54 competitors at the district," Turnitzer said of DECA, summarizing the program’s recent competitive results.
