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Candidates back expanded vocational pathways and local trade connections to boost graduation routes
Summary
Several candidates urged expansion of vocational and career‑tech pathways and stronger ties with local employers and BOCES to give students alternate career routes and improve graduation outcomes.
Candidates said the district should expand vocational offerings and create clearer pathways from middle school to trades and local employers.
Candidate Kimberly Talbot said she made creating “pathways to graduation through the trades” a board goal and has talked with local businesses and alumni to connect eighth and ninth graders to trade careers. “Not every student is going to go to a 4 year college… I want to create this program,” she said.
Candidate Christina Coughlin and others said vocational and career‑technical education (CTE) options are especially important for students at risk of dropping out and that counselors should proactively inform students about alternatives to a traditional four‑year path. “We have a lot of students, especially, our students who are at risk… and I think that those programs are super beneficial to them and then also increase graduation rates,” Coughlin said.
Candidate Mike Trolley, who works in the trades, described strong local demand for skilled workers and encouraged expanding recruitment into roofing, plumbing, electrical and other trades.
Candidates suggested increasing partnerships with BOCES and local businesses, broadening in‑district vocational classes and better communicating career options to students and families. The forum did not propose specific funding mechanisms or formal board actions.
