Holmen presenters highlight CTE expansion, transcripted college credits and youth apprenticeships

Holmen School District officials and Career and Technical Education (CTE) staff presented a curriculum self-study and data on early college credit at the school board meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, describing expanded hands‑on opportunities, youth apprenticeship placements and a large number of transcripted college credits earned through Western Technical College.

The presentation, led by CTE presenters Haley Hesselberg and Heather Breske, summarized middle‑ and high‑school CTE departments, industry partnerships and student outcomes from the 2022–23 year. Hesselberg said 718 students earned a total of 2,909 transcripted credits that year, which she estimated saved students more than $440,000 because Western did not charge the district for those credits. "It's a great cost savings to our students because while they're in high school, they are able to earn these credits...it's a savings of over $440,000 but the cost to the district is $0 because Western does not charge us for those transcripted credits," Hesselberg said.

Why it matters: District staff said transcripted credits and industry certifications can reduce college costs and increase postsecondary enrollment in local providers. Officials reported that 21% of students who earn transcripted credit enroll at Western in their first year after graduation, rising to 25% within three years.

The CTE review outlined course progressions at the middle school (technology and business classes) and multiple high‑school programs, including marketing/business, agriscience/technology, family and consumer sciences and technical education. Staff described program strengths—project‑based learning, SkillsUSA and DECA participation, school‑based enterprises (a gold‑certified school store) and partnerships with local businesses that provide work‑based learning. Presenters listed specific local partners and apprenticeship sites: Steiger Steel and Fabricating; Rainbow Ridge Farm; Jones Grain Farm; and Y Child Watch at the Hauser YMCA, which were recognized earlier in the meeting for supporting youth apprenticeships.

Staff also described credentials and certifications available to students (for example, customer service certificates through Western and ASE opportunities for automotive students) and said they are exploring additional national certifications. The presenters said transcripted‑credit opportunities reduce student costs for postsecondary courses and support continuation to local colleges.

Presenters addressed technology and curriculum changes, including AI in instruction. "AI is definitely becoming more prevalent. So it's just figuring out...how do you balance showing them and exposing them to those, but then also having them learn the skills as well," a presenter said when asked how the program is responding to new technologies.

Early college credit applications: Kim Edwards, executive director of instructional services, reported that applications for spring semester Start College Now (early college credit) were due Oct. 1. At the time of the meeting, 31 students had applied for 50 courses at Western Technical College and seven students had applied for 14 courses at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse; staff said final course numbers would be set before postsecondary registration in December.

What’s next: Staff said they will continue aligning middle‑ and high‑school courses, expand transcripted‑credit options where possible and pursue additional grant or incentive funding for certifications. The presentation was informational; no board action was required at the meeting.