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School superintendent urges county support for CTE upgrades, cites 91% graduation rate
Summary
Dr. Scott Cooper, new superintendent for School District No. 2, presented district highlights including a 91% graduation rate, declining enrollment (2,263 students last year) and plans to pursue congressional direct spending grants to expand career‑technical education and a work‑based learning coordinator.
Dr. Scott Cooper, superintendent of School District No. 2, presented district successes and a package of future‑ready initiatives to the county commission, including data and capital needs for career‑technical education (CTE). He reported last year's district enrollment as 2,263 students and highlighted a 91% graduation rate — the highest among larger districts along the I‑80 corridor — while noting a long‑term trend of declining enrollment.
Cooper described aging CTE facilities (shops dating from the mid‑1990s) that need HVAC, electrical, dust collection and expanded space for welding and wood shops. He said the district is seeking congressional direct spending (CDS) grant opportunities and requested letters of support to pursue federal funding for capital improvements and a potential work‑based learning coordinator position. "We're going to be pursuing some grant dollars... so now let's jump into future ready initiatives," Cooper said. The board welcomed the presentation and asked the superintendent to provide a draft letter of support for commissioners to consider at a future meeting.
The superintendent also noted reopening a rural school (Tolman Ranch School) and described partnerships with industry and higher education to expand work‑based learning and dual‑enrollment opportunities for students.
