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District pitches new CDL program using existing simulators to reduce student costs
Summary
The district proposed building a local CDL program by buying a semi truck and trailer to complement existing simulators; administrators said the program could pay for itself in about five years and reduce per-student costs compared with sending students to external providers.
Superintendent Gallagher proposed expanding the district's CTE offerings by establishing a local commercial driver's license (CDL) program that would pair two existing semi-truck simulators with a district-owned truck and trailer.
Gallagher said the board has already invested in two simulators and that purchasing a truck and later a trailer would allow the district to offer CDL training on-site rather than sending students to external vendors that charge roughly $5,500 or more per student. "Having our own program, we have the simulators. We need a truck and a trailer... I think that that opportunity is there if we have the program," Gallagher said, adding the district expects the program to pay for itself in about five years given the current per-student cost of external providers. The proposal includes using district shop capacity and mechanics for maintenance and initially aims to graduate a small cohort earning a high school diploma plus CDL credentials.
The board discussed lifespan and mileage expectations for a used truck and asked for more financial details; Gallagher said more specifics and budget planning would follow if the board supports pursuing the program.
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