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Carson High to add medical‑assisting CTE strand using state‑approved Cengage textbook
Summary
The board heard a presentation on adding a medical‑assisting Career and Technical Education strand at Carson High using a state‑approved Cengage textbook; staff reported 91 students already enrolled and estimated materials costs at $30,000 (budgeted up to $40,000), with possible Perkins or grant funding.
District staff told trustees they plan to extend Carson High's health‑sciences CTE offerings to include a medical‑assisting pathway that would allow students to earn a certified medical assistant credential while in high school.
Stasha Fuzen (representing the CTE team) said the recommended textbook is Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies (Cengage), which was approved by Elko County School District in 2020 and cleared through the Nevada Department of Education Office of CTE and the State Board of Education; once one district adopts a CTE text, others may use it under existing CTE procedures. Staff reported 91 students enrolled in the program already and said the course load would begin with three classes of about 30 students each.
Trustees raised questions about the adoption rubric scores, accessibility of electronic formats and how workbooks or ancillary materials would be purchased. Candy Robles said the Cengage package includes an electronic platform (MindTap) with read‑aloud capability and that the district will negotiate contract length (staff prefers 3–4 years given vendor change frequency). Staff estimated costs at around $30,000 and budgeted up to $40,000 until final ordering occurs; they said Perkins and other grant opportunities might offset costs.
No formal adoption vote was recorded at the meeting; staff presented the materials for discussion and said final ordering and contract negotiations will follow board approval processes.
