Students and coordinator highlight broad CTE participation, apprenticeships and credentials

Greg Benz, the district career and technical education coordinator, told the Monona Grove School District Board that CTE participation is extensive at the high school level, with "we had 906 students participating in the high school" and 894 taking at least one CTE class, and 234 identified as CTE concentrators. Benz said the program combines academic and technical skills, work-based learning and workforce skills and noted increases in dual-credit and industry-recognized credentials.

Students on a CTE panel described how hands-on experiences translated to paid work and clearer career paths. Adele Welling said the program has prepared her for future college and work plans: "My experience in this program has been incredibly valuable in preparing me for my future goals," and cited customer-service and time-management skills she uses now as a teller. Other students described earning CNAs (17 students), ASE automotive certification (one student), dual-credit outcomes (31 students earning 59 credits in 2023–24) and youth-apprenticeship growth (Benz said he expects 37 completions this year with 58 currently enrolled).

Board members asked how youth apprenticeship hours are scheduled, whether work counts toward credits and how the district supports students juggling school and work. Benz said schedules include release time and a minimum number of work hours per year and the district coordinates placements with school counselors. Members also pressed for outreach to increase female enrollment in STEM and computer-science pathways, which a student panelist called a priority.

The presentation concluded with board praise for the program as a pathway to postsecondary opportunities and workforce readiness and a suggestion to return with middle-school CTE updates in a future meeting.