Beaufort County’s Academics Committee on Oct. 30 reviewed a package of local board‑approved (LBA) courses and a proposal to launch CTE workforce‑development LBAs in healthcare and trades.

A presenter described a two‑component pathway that pairs school‑based instruction with employer worksite experiences and continuing‑education courses. Beaufort Memorial Hospital has agreed to host clinical rotations for a pilot PATH cohort and to cover student fees such as clinical scrubs and examination costs; the presenter said those employer contributions would reduce district costs for the spring cohort.

The presenter described funding support from SC WINDS scholarships for continuing‑education seats at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) and said the district’s per‑student cost for an online employability credential would be approximately $14. "Beaufort Memorial has committed to paying for the students'... clinical scrubs and examination fees," the presenter said.

Program scope and timeline: The hospital PATH cohort was described as a 20‑student spring pilot for allied‑health training (patient care technician/CMA pathways). Trades and industrial LBAs (welding, HVAC and similar) would be phased in the following academic year, with district estimates that employer partnerships and multi‑school participation could accommodate roughly 75–100 students across sites if demand and scheduling allow.

Board members expressed support and asked that staff consider geographic access (south of Broad/Bluffton) and barriers to participation, including residency and licensing issues for students without certain documentation. Staff noted nonresident dual‑enrollment costs and state licensing rules can limit eligibility for some occupational credentials.

Motion and next steps: The committee made motions to recommend to the full board approval of the existing local board course listing and the two CTE workforce development LBAs for the 2024‑25 academic year; motions were seconded and will be taken up by the full board. Staff said they will provide the full LBA packet, syllabi and implementation timelines to the board ahead of the vote.

The committee also reviewed visual and performing arts metrics and honors/AP arts participation; staff highlighted growth in dance and guitar enrollments and recent student awards and said they will return with briefed materials to the workshop and future meetings.