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Charles City board approves career/academic plan emphasizing work‑based learning
Summary
District staff presented the ECAP/DECAP career‑academic plan highlighting work‑based learning, sophomore career tours, industry partnerships and industry‑recognized credentials; the board approved the plan and attachment by voice vote.
Miller presented the district's career and academic planning document (ECAP/DECAP), telling the board the plan is intended to "prepare our students for the world of work and outside of high school" by expanding work‑based learning and career exposure. He outlined several current and planned activities: sophomore community tours, "lunch and learn" industry Q&A sessions, partnerships with the regional career center (RCC) and local employers, and efforts to secure industry‑recognized credentials without excessive cost to the district.
Miller said Charles City posts above‑average results on the Iowa School Performance Profile for postsecondary readiness, noting a 66.38 rating on the work‑based learning component and attributing student opportunities to class integrations, internships and guest speakers. He singled out a new Pathways to Employment class taught by Michelle Dolman and thanked Brett Spurgeon for coordinating community placements.
The presentation described tactics to expand hands‑on learning: sophomore tours to local employers (auctioneer, medical center, automotive shops), a business academy at the RCC replacing the information‑technology academy next year, and efforts to provide certifications such as food‑safety manager and drone‑operation credentials. Miller emphasized personal finance as a priority for a proposed elective: "are our kids going to be taught the proper skills with budgeting, saving, debt, retirement, investing, and insurance?"
Board members asked clarifying questions about grade level access, scheduling and whether approval of the ECAP document required separate action. Staff confirmed the annual board presentation and approval were procedural requirements; the board moved to approve the DECAP/ECAP attachment and the motion carried by voice vote. The board encouraged continued refinement of program timing, credential cost strategies and community outreach.
The board asked staff to return with further details where needed; no formal amendments to the ECAP/DECAP document were made at this meeting.
