Cloquet explores vocational education options

Cloquet explores vocational education options

Following the retooling of the construction trades program at Cloquet High School into something that could lead motivated students directly into an carpenters union apprenticeship, CHS administrators are now hoping to do the same thing with other trades.

They've have a potential agreement with the electricians union in the works for next year. On Tuesday, CHS vice principal Tim Prosen met with the plumbers and pipefitting unions, and he's working to find a connection for the auto shop program. Prosen said they've also met with folks at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and Sappi, to work on ways to get students on the right track for good jobs.

"We are trying to connect our students to guaranteed interviews or jobs," CHS principal Steve Battaglia told Cloquet School Board members during Monday's meeting. "We want real life skills, ways to get them in front of people to get them successful."

Vocational ed instructor Dusty Rhoades explained how the school changed up its construction program in a previous interview with the Pine Knot News.

"We partnered up with the Carpenters (Local 361) and Millwrights (Local 1348) Union, got their curriculum, and incorporated that into our program here. It's a three-year deal. We have Construction 1, 2, and 3, and kids can take whatever level they want as many times as they need to."

Battaglia said four kids were hired straight into apprenticeships from high school last year after taking the building trades program. This year 13 kids will be eligible if that's the track they choose, and next year they could have as many as 40 kids go straight into the carpenters union in 2021.

"There's a huge need for [this training]," Prosen told the Pine Knot News, explaining that regional studies have shown a demand for skilled labor.

Prosen said they should know more about exact course offerings for CHS over the next month, before registration for next year's classes starts.

Battaglia pointed out that the high school is not taking away from one program to expand another. They're adding a teaching class to their College in the Schools offerings, bringing the number of college credits available to CHS students at the school to 76 next year.

"We cater to multiple pathways," he said.

A recently announced $1.5 million grant awarded to a consortium of mostly Carlton County school districts to expand and explore the career and technical education programs in the area also comes at the right time.

That will help pay for equipment upgrades at all the schools and likely some collaborative efforts, perhaps specialty tools or equipment that will be shared between the districts.

Prosen said union members and representatives from FDLTCC and Lake Superior College are coming to CHS to consult on equipment and better use of space next week, Prosen said.

New year, same leaders

Cloquet School Board members took care of annual items of business Monday, starting with the election of officers.

Ted Lammi will again serve as chairman of the Cloquet School Board, with Nate Sandman as clerk and Dave Battaglia as treasurer again.

School board salaries will be the same as last year: $225 a month plus $50 for any extra meetings outside of the regular board meetings. Mileage reimbursement is tied to the federal rate, currently 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven.

Other news

In other business Monday, school board members discussed the pending retirement of lead district custodian Keith Marti and administrations goal of replacing that position with a director of facilities and grounds if they get any qualified candidates. Board member Hawk Huard questioned the idea, and said the district should go back to the way it used to do things, with lead custodians at each building working with principals to make projects happen.

-The board also approved hiring Aaron Young as the head boys golf coach and approved a 1.5 year leave of absence for middle school math teacher Jonathan Horbacz, to pursue other opportunities, as allowed in the teaching contract.

-Superintendent Michael Cary said committee members are putting the final touches on a proposed strategic plan for the district, a process that started with community and staff meetings plus online and written feedback in October and November.

-Washington Elementary School principal Robbi Mondati is being recognized by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association because Washington was chosen as a School of Excellence.