Parents and teachers press board to save diesel CTE path as district weighs teacher reductions

Parents, students and the diesel instructor defended Preston High School’s diesel technology pathway on April 13 as the board and administrators described difficult staffing decisions tied to enrollment and teacher certification.

"This is not just another elective class. It is a pathway for him to become a completer, having meaningful skills, and ultimately to pursue his dreams..." Rhonda Wilson told the board, speaking of her son and other students in the program and urging the district to preserve the CTE sequence. Wilson said local employers such as Preston Contractors, Snyder Motors and Stone Paving have hired program completers.

CTE instructor West Trickett told the board he currently teaches diesel and auto sections and said current enrollments included 21 students in one cohort this year. He described scheduling and outreach concerns, and asked the board to consider alternatives before cutting programs or staff.

Administration explained that district leaders had reviewed CTE enrollments and certification requirements and identified some programs with declining multi-year counts; certification differences among teachers were central to the decision-making. During discussion administrators said the state requires certain ASE/ASSE tests to hold diesel-specific instructor certification and that the rules had recently changed so instructors may now need five specified tests to be fully certified for diesel instruction.

When the reduction-in-force (RIF) item affecting the diesel instructor was brought forward, administration recommended tabling the RIF until the district could contact the state CTE certification office (Mrs. Sherry Williamson) and confirm next steps. The board voted to separate and table the recommended RIF for Mr. Trickett so staff can (1) verify teacher certifications and (2) confirm that students enrolled in diesel 3–4 can complete their sequences with an available instructor.

District officials said if courses such as diesel 1–2 are not offered for the coming year, only diesel 3–4 completers would continue and administrators would need to assure comparable instruction and certification. Board members asked for projected enrollment and completer counts for 2026–27 and for a plan guaranteeing current students can finish required sequences.

Why it matters: The diesel CTE program provides career-ready credentials and direct local employment pathways for students. Curtailing the program would narrow options for students who plan immediate entry into skilled trades and could reduce local workforce pipelines.

What’s next: Administration will contact state certification officials, confirm instructor certification status and report back to the board. The board tabled the RIF action for Mr. Trickett and asked administration to ensure current students can complete their diesel 3–4 sequences.