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Board hears proposed 2026 program of studies with expanded CTE and dual-enrollment partnerships
Summary
Dr. Lacks asked the board to consider a January vote on a proposed program of studies that would add teacher-recommended support classes (Algebra/Geometry Concepts), new CTE courses (Photography 1–2, Advertising Design), Health Assisting Careers to replace Nursing Aide 2, and dual-enrollment partnerships including a Teacher Career Academy and a Forestry Technology Academy with Southside Virginia Community College.
The Mecklenburg County School Board heard a proposal to expand course offerings and career-technical partnerships for the next school year during its regular meeting. Dr. Lacks, presenting the instructional update, asked the board to consider a vote on the program of studies in January and outlined several additions and changes aimed at supporting students, particularly those with disabilities.
Dr. Lacks said the division would rename some advanced-track middle-school course titles to align with state accreditation language, and proposed two support courses — Algebra Concepts and Geometry Concepts — that would be teacher-recommended and count for math credit if students need additional support after a first semester review. "If we determine after the first semester that they need additional support, we would be able to put them in an algebra concepts or geometry concepts," he said.
He also proposed Education for Employment I and a Photography 1–2 sequence replacing photojournalism 1, with photography students still contributing to yearbook work. Advertising Design was described as a CTE option tied to the new visual-arts teacher's background in graphic design. To address the loss of Nursing Aide 2 as a state-approved course, the division proposed Health Assisting Careers to allow students to meet clinical-hour requirements while pursuing health careers.
Dr. Lacks described dual-enrollment partnerships with Southside Virginia Community College that would host a Teacher Career Academy at the Daniel campus in Keeseville and a Forestry Technology Academy, giving students college-credit opportunities. "Students would receive 24 college credits towards the teaching profession," he said of the Teacher Career Academy, and said the forestry program would offer about 21 college credits toward a certificate. He added the division would coordinate transportation to offsite academy campuses "much like we do to the Alberta campus for our Governor School students."
Board members asked about class caps and minimums. A board member noted that CTE courses often carry state-imposed caps (commonly about 20 students; some courses cap at 10), and Dr. Lacks said courses would run only with sufficient enrollment and that the division surveys student interest in advance.
Dr. Lacks credited staff and community partners and asked the board to review the proposed program and submit questions ahead of the requested January vote. The board took no formal vote on the program at the meeting.
