The Culver School Corporation is hoping students find other classes to take after a decision on Monday night to eliminate an academic program.
Lacking student participation and enrollment prompted administration with Culver Schools to propose scrapping the Industrial Technology classes at the high school and middle school. The classes are more commonly known as “shop.”
Culver Schools Superintendent Vicki McGuire says there are plenty of other options.
“We’re big here on the building and trades and I think that’s kind of an option that students like to choose,” says McGuire. “I wish we could keep both, but we have to choose.”
In the Industrial Technology classes offered throughout the entire day, there were around 20 students enrolled in the class in Culver. The participation rate was described as “not paying for itself” during Monday night’s meeting.
Culver Schools are facing some budget woes that led to a Reduction in Force for Industrial Technology and a special education position.
Among the suggestions brought up was possibly involving students interested in “shop” classes to work alongside businesses in the community. School Board member Jim Wentzel says supporting the program’s elimination was tough for him.
“You know, I’m a shop guy, but I realize where we’re at [financially],” says Wentzel. “It’s something we’ve got to do, but I know there will be some disappointed parents out there.”
School Board members voted unanimously to eliminate the Industrial Technology program.
It will now be replaced by an agriculture class in the coming school year.
