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Parents urge continued funding for forestry CTE aide; committee discusses partnerships to revive enrollment
Summary
A public comment letter asked the Philomath SD 17J committee to fund a forestry instructional aide (currently paid from a Ford Family Foundation grant) to sustain hands-on CTE forestry coursework; committee discussed declining enrollment and potential industry and university partnerships.
A public comment letter read into the Philomath SD 17J budget committee meeting urged the district to continue funding a forestry instructional aide under teacher Simon Babcock so students can maintain access to the district's hands-on forestry career-technical education (CTE) pathway.
The letter, submitted by Laurel Smouse and read into the record, described the forestry program as a unique, field-based course that "builds on a student's knowledge foundation" and prepares graduates for immediate workforce entry. The presenter clarified the forestry instructional assistant hired this spring is currently funded from leftover funds in a previously awarded Ford Family Foundation grant designated for natural-resources programming, not from the general fund.
Committee members and members of the public discussed why participation in forestry has dropped, including the scheduling structure that once blocked two class periods to allow off-campus fieldwork. Suggestions to revive the program included forming partnerships with equipment manufacturers (John Deere, Caterpillar and others), pursuing connections with Oregon State University's College of Forestry and seeking recurring partner support so the instructional assistant need not become a general-fund obligation.
The presenter said the district is tracking CTE enrollment trends and noted the forestry program at times drew students from neighboring schools. Committee members asked whether the instructional assistant position could be funded by an external partner or incorporated into grant strategies, and staff encouraged outreach to industry and higher education as part of program revitalization work.
The committee did not take a separate action on the forestry position at the meeting but acknowledged the letter as public comment and noted the funding source and constraints: if the Ford Family Foundation funds continue, the position could be sustained without general-fund impact; if not, the district would need to consider alternative recurring funding or program restructuring.
