High school pilots CTE metalworking business with local partners

High school CTE teacher Brooke Reiser told the board the program is piloting a student-run business producing custom ribbon hangers. Students take online orders, approve mock-ups with customers, program a Cut2D Pro cutter, paint and finish products, and package items for local sale.

Reiser named local partners that provide donated materials and equipment, including Sky Meadows (stainless stock and sheets), Donaldson’s and OEM (material donations and equipment support) and local employers who offer career tours and hands-on instruction. She said donations have allowed students to create projects without upfront costs and that proceeds and donated items are reinvested in the program.

Students Sam and Josh described hands-on experiences in the welding shop and said the new space and equipment have increased opportunities for authentic projects and job-readiness. Reiser said the program is exploring community-education offerings (an adult '1-0-1 crash course' planned for winter 2026) and considering how summertime work might fund a dedicated color-guard coach position for the marching band.

The board praised the partnerships and asked staff to continue exploring liability and scheduling details for expanded business and adult-education offerings.