Students and community urge board to preserve Highlands Career Institute amid proposed restructuring

Students, staff and community members urged the Highlands County School Board on Monday to keep the Highlands Career Institute (HCI) intact as the district reviews budget-driven changes.

Kimberly Velasquez, lead resource teacher at HCI, introduced student speakers and a short video illustrating the character word “work ethic,” showing how a rushed inspection can risk customer safety and a shop’s reputation. “Honesty and integrity in the workplace means understanding that our decisions carry weight,” the video narration states.

Multiple students described how HCI changed their academic and career trajectories. “I learned a lot — from replacing transmissions to painting cars — and I love it,” said Adrian Maldonado, a senior in the auto collision program. Logan Harrison, an HVAC senior, said the program taught technical skills and responsibility: “Your work ethic transforms you from a mere technician into a trusted advisor.”

During the public-comment period, Chris Velasquez, who identified Kimberly Velasquez as his wife, urged the board not to reduce HCI’s structure as part of budget cuts. He warned the board that shifting the program’s structure would prompt some students to seek GEDs, enroll in virtual schooling, or drop out entirely. “If you proceed with changing the structure of Highlands Career Institute as proposed you will lose students,” Velasquez said.

Student commenters reinforced that point. Rihanna Murray described arriving at HCI anxious and unsure, then finding belonging and direction: “HCI has given me direction with confidence,” she said, asking the board to reconsider changes that could limit the program for future students.

Teachers also cautioned about financial and operational impacts tied to program changes. Lisa Signs, a Highlands Virtual School teacher, said virtual programs generate significant revenue for the district and that losing students to Florida Virtual School would reduce funding. “HVS generates revenue for the district with projections of over a million dollars this school year. If our students leave and go to Florida Virtual instead of us, that funding leaves Highlands County,” Signs said.

Board members acknowledged the concerns while noting the district faces budget pressures. Superintendent Brenda Longshore outlined upcoming budget workshops and asked that two agenda items be pulled for later consideration. Several board members praised HCI as a niche program and said they want to protect and grow special offerings while balancing fiscal constraints.

The board did not take an immediate vote on HCI’s structure at the meeting. Several members said they would continue discussion in workshops and return with additional information on options, impacts and next steps.

The board scheduled budget workshops in May to review allocations and health insurance; the district said the HCI restructuring proposal will be discussed further in that process.