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U-46 students, instructor urge controlled pilot to restore live-vehicle work in automotive program
Summary
Multiple Bartlett and Streamwood High students and an educator told the School District U-46 board Jan. 12 that the district’s automotive programs are limited by a prohibition on working on live student and staff vehicles and urged a supervised pilot with waivers and controls to restore hands‑on learning.
Several students and an educator urged the School District U-46 Board of Education on Jan. 12 to allow supervised work on live student and staff vehicles in district automotive programs, saying practice on “real-world” cars is essential to workforce readiness.
Nico Esposto, a junior at Bartlett High School in the district’s Automotive Technology program, told the board the shop “cannot be used to its full potential due to the current restrictions on working on student and teacher vehicles,” and that working on unpredictable, everyday cars is necessary to “fully comprehend our curriculum.”
Gustavo “Gus” Montano, another student, described a November instance in which students used program resources to help a community member who had recently lost her husband and was living in her vehicle. Montano said waivers could address legal concerns and allow the program to resume work on live vehicles.
Anthony Metallo, an educator and mentor, framed a narrower approach for the board: “I am not asking for unrestricted access or increased risk. I’m proposing a structured controlled pilot allowing limited staff vehicles under clear administrative guidelines.” Metallo listed safeguards used by other districts — signed waivers, defined scope of work, instructor oversight and documented procedures — to protect students and the district while providing authentic learning.
Students from Streamwood and Bartlett High Schools echoed those points. Navan Patel, a Barlow High student who has taken Bartlett Autos, said shop vehicles “are not always able to simulate real-world situations” and that access to live vehicles helped him better understand technical work and post‑graduation options. David Avitia, a Streamwood junior, said hands-on repairs taught him “more than what we learn online.”
District staff offered follow-up: Lola Mysdorovich, deputy superintendent of instruction, told students she would meet them immediately after the meeting to collect additional information and ensure staff follow up on the concerns raised.
What’s next: The public comments concluded with staff engagement to gather details. Board action on a pilot or policy change was not recorded in the meeting transcript; administration indicated it will meet with student representatives to discuss next steps.
