Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Board approves four‑year Career and Technical Education plan, highlights industry partnerships
Summary
The Longview School Board approved a required four‑year Career and Technical Education plan on April 27 after a presentation highlighting program offerings, a drop in high‑school CTE full‑time‑equivalent enrollment (353 to 331), and partnerships with local industry and colleges.
The Longview School Board voted April 27 to approve the district’s four‑year Career and Technical Education (CTE) plan after a presentation by Bill Austin, the district’s director of CTE and assessment.
Austin outlined CTE program areas — agricultural and natural resources, business and marketing, digital design, family and consumer sciences (including culinary), health sciences, STEM and skilled technical programs — and said the courses are open to students across the district through the district busing system. He reported a decline in CTE high‑school full‑time‑equivalent enrollment from 353 to 331 and said part of that change is attributable to students moving to Longview Virtual Academy where fewer CTE options exist.
Austin highlighted several student achievements and industry connections: culinary competitions judged by a local bakery, DECA and HOSA team recognitions at the state level, middle‑school FIRST robotics participation and a pre‑apprenticeship field trip to JH Kelly. He described local industry involvement — including JH Kelly employing a Longview graduate in a Boise chip‑manufacturing project — and said the district is expanding articulation agreements with postsecondary partners (Lower Columbia College, Clark College, Spokane Falls Community College) to increase college credit opportunities for students.
Austin also described a district participation in the "Big Blur" collaboration (with regional education partners and WSU Vancouver, LCC and Clark College) intended to smooth earning and claiming of college credits; he cautioned that different colleges have different credit‑claiming rules that affect when students should claim articulated credits.
After board questions about program approvals, licensing targets for CTE teachers and facilities needs, a motion to adopt the four‑year CTE plan was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
Board members praised the program’s industry links and student opportunities, and the superintendent noted continuing work to strengthen advisories, expand articulation agreements and support professional development for CTE staff. The district will implement the plan and report on Perkins grant measures tied to CTE accountability.
