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Vocational program expansions and student wins highlighted at Windham‑Raymond board meeting
Summary
Board members heard that vocational centers will split cybersecurity and expand medical tracks, 35 students attended SkillsUSA, culinary students won ProStart scholarships, and the high‑school robotics team qualified for Worlds in April in St. Louis.
WINDHAM, Maine — At the March 18 school board meeting district leaders highlighted vocational program changes and student successes, including division of cybersecurity into two course sequences, proposed splits in medical‑occupation tracks, and competitive awards earned by students.
Vocational staff said cybersecurity will be offered as two sessions (tech 1 and tech 2), allowing students to take them sequentially or separately. They also said the medical occupations program may be divided into distinct pathways — health services/health sciences, medical clinical assistant, and nursing assistant/CNA — pending approvals.
The district reported roughly 900 visits from sending schools to vocational programs (informational visits rather than admissions figures) and that 35 students participated in SkillsUSA from various programs.
Culinary arts students who attended the ProStart competition were awarded $1,000 scholarships for participating students. Site staff also reported a pallet donation of work boots distributed to students who needed them.
Principal and district staff celebrated competitive wins: Gabriella Wright won gold in nail care and Izzy Neil won gold in cosmetology at SkillsUSA; Bryce Jarvis earned silver in firefighting. The high‑school robotics team qualified for Worlds in April in St. Louis and is fundraising to cover travel and lodging.
Vocational leaders said they are awaiting Perkins Fund decisions that support testing, curriculum and equipment and are working with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) and other partners to make program credits transferable to postsecondary institutions.
