Most of Monday night’s meeting of the Eureka Springs School Board was devoted to a presentation about career and technical education within the district.
Former high school counselor Rachal Hyatt now serves as Director of Programs. The position incorporates federal programs, curriculum development, and communications. She described increasing participation in the C4 program, which allows students to travel to Berryville for vocational training during the school day.
In 2021, five students took advantage of the program, and those numbers have grown steadily since then. In the coming school year, 19 students are expected to participate. “We’re sending a lot of kids over there,” Hyatt said. “They’re coming out certified, with guaranteed jobs.” The C4 program may add other training areas, including heavy equipment or auto body instruction.
The nursing program at C4 has grown from five students in 2022 to a projected eight students in the coming year. Those who complete the program receive accreditation as Certified Nursing Assistants. Hyatt explained that the nursing program had grown to 13 students in 2023, but the paramedic program was eliminated. The number of students involved fell to six the following year.
The school district has other resources in career education. Survey classes are offered in agriculture, construction, business, and film. Students have opportunities to follow up those survey classes with more advanced pursuits. Hyatt explained efforts to encourage more students to follow up with those advanced classes.
State law now requires the district to create a plan each year to help students find the right courses to fit with their futures. The planning begins in eighth grade, and Hyatt described the process as “a fluid plan parents and students can see.”
The board accepted the resignation of skills teacher Jason Hill. “We’ve had a great trades teacher with him,” Supt. Bryan Pruitt said.