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Board reviews proposed new CTE courses and certificates; counselors’ capacity questioned
Summary
The board reviewed proposed additions to CTE courses and industry certificates, including concurrent-enrollment options and a baking/pastry specialization. Members and parents raised concerns about counseling capacity and ensuring students receive one-on-one guidance amid many pathway choices.
Superintendent Nielson and Dr. Albert presented proposed additions to the district’s career and technical education offerings, including several new state-approved courses and two new industry certificates cited as high-demand by workforce partners. The packet highlights added concurrent-enrollment opportunities (including Spanish 3) and specialty areas such as baking and pastry and an intro to health science.
Administration said the courses would be offered by Roosevelt High School staff and that no additional full-time-equivalent staffing is required for next year. "These are all courses that would be offered at Roosevelt High School by Roosevelt High School teachers," an administrator said.
Several parents and students on the dais raised a recurring concern: with roughly 18 current pathways and more courses being added, will students—and especially incoming freshmen—get consistent, one-on-one counseling to choose paths without experiencing decision paralysis? Students and parents described advisory presentations and open-house pathway fairs that have been expanded; administrators said advisory sessions have been increased and the high school is tracking who receives counseling. They agreed to provide the board with data about access to advising and to consider flowcharts and website materials to help families map course-to-pathway progressions.
The board moved a recommendation to approve the new industry certificates and concurrent enrollment opportunities but administration noted the board would not take final action that evening; materials and a recommended motion remain on the agenda for a future consent or action item.
Directors asked staff to continue improving outreach to families, refine how incoming freshmen are advised and provide data on which students have had one-on-one counseling sessions.
