Students and instructors urge board to preserve and fund CTE programs
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Summary
Students and instructors from Mount Diablo Unified told the board Jan. 21 that EMT and dental assistant programs change lives and said low instructor pay and limited class capacity threaten program continuity. The board heard multiple student presentations and unanimously approved a CTE Month resolution.
Mount Diablo Unified School District board members heard more than a dozen students and instructors on Jan. 21 who urged the board to protect and fund career and technical education (CTE) programs that prepare students for health‑care and allied careers.
Troy Hess, an EMT instructor at Mount Diablo Adult Education, described the program’s outcomes and called on the board to improve compensation to retain experienced staff. “We do tremendous things there,” Hess said, and added that many instructors “are dead last in pay.” Students in the EMT cohort echoed that message: Aubrey said the program “has truly saved me,” and Diego described Hess as a mentor who helps students find purpose.
Students and instructors from the Loma Vista dental assistant program also asked the board to address retention and capacity. Katie Reynolds, director of the dental assistant program, said the program has a high placement rate but that instructors often take second jobs to make ends meet. Student speakers described long commutes and small class sizes and asked the district to consider program expansion so more residents can access training and externships.
The student testimony covered additional, concrete concerns: inconsistent access to school bathrooms, supply shortages, and limitations on student passes that some students said could disproportionately affect those with menstrual needs. Students also highlighted strong supports: counselors, wellness centers and bilingual tutoring.
Why it matters: CTE programs are both a workforce pipeline and a learning pathway for students who do not pursue immediate four‑year degrees. Board members praised the presentations and connected them to an agenda item: the board proclaimed February as Career and Technical Education Month (resolution 25/26‑48) in a 5‑0 vote.
What’s next: Trustees and staff said they will follow up on student suggestions, and the superintendent said student input will inform future administrative responses and budget planning.