Pomona Unified showcases school counselors and expands CTE pathways including aviation, medical and barbering

Pomona Unified used its Jan. 21 meeting to highlight school counseling work and to outline expansion plans for career technical education.

School counselors presented the district’s MTMDSS (tiered) framework and mid‑year data showing counselor contacts by grade and student groups. Sarah Wicucheia (school counselor, PUSD) said counselors use data and pre/post assessments to measure impact and follow the ASCA national model. Cesar Casa Rubias listed 17 RAMP‑recognized schools and noted that Pomona High School will earn RAMP at an upcoming national conference.

“RAMP … proves that our district is a leader in student wellness and academic support,” Casa Rubias said while introducing the schools and inviting representatives for a photo.

The board then received an extended Career Technical Education presentation from Luis Rodriguez, director of career readiness, who detailed 18 district CTE pathways, partnerships with San Antonio ROP and the Fairplex, and new offerings including aviation at Gary High School and manufacturing at Fremont. Rodriguez described barbering and cosmetology classes that run in the evening and noted two 17‑year‑old students already passed the state board test under updated rules.

Trustees asked about articulated dual‑enrollment courses with Mt. San Antonio College, the condition and use of makerspaces, and staffing for new pathways. Rodriguez said most pathways have articulation agreements and that the district is largely staffed for CTE for the first time in several years; he also outlined planned Golden Springs expansions to add classrooms where needed.

Board members praised individual programs (aviation, health pathways, maker/career labs) and asked staff to provide program‑by‑program details on where Paxton‑Patterson labs exist and whether portables are inflating capacity counts. Several trustees asked for a small‑chunk study session on CTE (elementary, middle, high school) so the board can review use and access across sites.

Next steps: staff will supply a detailed inventory of makerspaces and Paxton‑Patterson labs, articulation status for each pathway, and workforce‑partner participation figures; the board requested follow‑up study sessions.