Western weighs career and technical education options
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
Western School District is considering a plan to allow students to enroll in career and technical programs outside the district beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
In response to pushback received at the December school board meeting from the teachers union on a proposal to send students to the Hannibal Career & Technical Center (HCTC), the district scheduled a January 7 community forum to get community input on career and technical education options laid out by Superintendent Darin Powell.
Currently, the district offers students opportunities to take welding from John Wood Community College (JWCC) faculty, as well as Western-taught agriculture and business courses on campus. Increasing student interest and employer demand for training in career and technical fields have prompted administrators and board members to examine career and technical education options..
Western Board of Education members are evaluating partnerships with the Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center (QAVTC) and HCTC. Both centers offer hands-on training in fields ranging from construction and culinary arts to automotive technology and welding, with each site providing additional specialized programs.
District leaders say scheduling and transportation are major factors. Quincy’s program begins early in the morning, requiring students to leave Western when buses are not available. Hannibal’s later start time aligns more closely with Western’s schedule, and Powell indicated that the district would be able to provide transportation to Hannibal.
HCTC has indicated that it could accommodate 21 Western students and are willing to accept Illinois participants. Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) officials have also approved the cross‑state arrangement, though they stated that Western cannot use state or federal education funds to cover tuition costs. Each student’s participation would cost the district $2,150. Western would need to access grant funding to offset the added expenses.
The proposal to increase access to career and technical education opportunities has generated both enthusiasm and caution. Students and some community members argue that expanded career pathways are essential for preparing young people for the workforce. Others, including staff members, have raised questions about sending students across state lines, ensuring credits transfer properly, and adjusting graduation requirements to allow more flexibility.
Later this month, the School Board is expected to act on a plan to allow Western students to access career and technical education at either QAVTC or HCTC, depending on individual student career interest and logistical considerations.
