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Kewanee High pursues Clean Energy CTE pilot, explores WIU dual enrollment and renews mental-health access
Summary
Kewanee High School is pursuing a Clean Energy CTE pilot grant that could bring $250,000–$750,000 in funding and paid student modules; the board also heard about online dual-enrollment talks with WIU and renewed Cartwheel mental-health access for students.
Kewanee High School Principal Mrs. Tidwell told the board on Sept. 15 that the district has been approached to partner on a Clean Energy Career and Technical Education (CTE) pilot program through the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP). The pilot, administered through Illinois state grant channels (Department of Commerce and Illinois State Board of Education), could allocate between $250,000 and $750,000 if awarded.
Mrs. Tidwell said the program would be the only Illinois high-school partner for AESP if awarded and would emphasize HVAC, wind and solar energy pathways, include online modules plus workplace experience with business partners, and pay students roughly $200 to $250 per completed module. She said Ameren and Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics (SEEL) are potential partners and that Ameren has also expressed interest in developing an electric-vehicle pathway. "The goal with the program is for kids to walk out at graduation with a Certification and go into the work place," Mrs. Tidwell said.
Tidwell also reported ongoing discussions with Western Illinois University about additional online dual-enrollment courses, noting the WIU options would be college-credit only, likely cost more than Black Hawk College offerings but less than standard WIU tuition, and are being explored for Engineering and Law Enforcement pathways. She said student participation numbers are not yet specified.
Separately, Superintendent R. Baney reported renewal of the Cartwheel mental-health service for 2025'2026 and said the county health department currently has a waiting list of about 60 people for counseling services; Cartwheel provides student access to mental-health services through the district.
Why it matters: a funded CTE pilot could bring paid, certification-focused career pathways tied to local employers and regional energy partners; dual-enrollment expansion affects college-credit opportunities and cost options for students.
What's next: the district is continuing conversations with AESP, Ameren and WIU; formal application or partnership details and expected student participation were not specified in the meeting minutes.
