Holmen board hears CTE incentive grant report as district highlights certifications, partnerships

Holmen School District trustees received a report on local Career and Technical Education programs and the state CTE incentive grant during their regular meeting. Academic and career planning counselor Lindsey Sipe and Holmen High School educators Ryan Ziegler and Heather Breske described the certifications students can earn, program partners and how grant payments are processed.

The presentation outlined that the incentive grant (a Department of Workforce Development and DPI program) "incentivizes Wisconsin school districts to offer high quality career and technical ed programs," and that districts can receive up to $1,000 per student certification, Sipe said. She also noted that two certificates—Firefighter I and EMT—carry a $500 direct payment to the student when earned. The district reported submitting 24 certifications in 2020 and 51 in 2024 to the state for grant consideration.

Presenters walked board members through program pathways. Ryan Ziegler described the automotive sequence and ASC certification ladder (entry, professional and master technician levels), explained pass-rate expectations, and reviewed historical test counts since the program began in 2019. Heather Breske described marketing-area certificates (sales fundamentals and customer service), growth in the retail marketing course (three sections, roughly 62 students) and articulation agreements with Western Technical College that allow students to earn college credits—some seniors walking away with 20–24 transcripted credits.

Sipe outlined additional pathways including certified nursing assistant (CNA) coursework and the youth apprenticeship program administered through the Department of Workforce Development; she said 29 students were enrolled in youth apprenticeship this school year. Sipe also described a fire academy partnership with Western Technical College and the Onalaska Fire Department that allows participating seniors to train at a local fire station and earn Firefighter I, hazmat and EMR certificates.

In a board question-and-answer period, a member asked whether the district tracks how many certified students remain employed at local businesses; presenters said they have not collected that retention data but agreed it would be valuable. When asked how incentive grant dollars are used, Sipe stated the funds return to the district (general fund) and that the district has reinvested in CTE programming, though the incentive grant is not always a line-item pass-through to specific programs.

The report was for information only; the board thanked presenters and moved on with the meeting. The district also recognized Wisconsin School Bus Driver Recognition Week and acknowledged a vehicle donation to the high school automotive program. A visit from State Superintendent Jill Underly was noted as scheduled later this month.

The board approved the published agenda and the consent agenda by voice vote and adjourned at 7:28 p.m.