Rappahannock schools highlight expanded CTE, new public-safety dispatch course and industry credentials

Rappahannock County School Board members on May 12 heard a detailed report on Career and Technical Education offerings as staff outlined new partnerships, credentialing outcomes and a hands-on public-safety course built with the sheriff's office.

Interim school counselor Dr. McColl told the board staff had met individually with every student to help place them in appropriately sequenced classes and to expand access to dual-enrollment opportunities. Officials described a new arrangement with Lord Fairfax/ LRCC in Warrenton to add slots for heavy-equipment operator training and to accommodate student interest in phlebotomy and CNA pathways; staff said they are working on funding and application steps to launch those placements next year.

Michelle Fincham, identified on the agenda as the CTE department chair, summarized CTE outcomes and course offerings, saying the program offered roughly two dozen CTE titles and reported more than 110 industry credentials earned this academic year. Fincham said many courses now award stackable, state- or industry-recognized credentials — from ServSafe in culinary to veterinary-assistant and welding certifications — which staff argued improves students' ability to enter the local workforce directly after graduation.

The board heard a focused presentation on a newly launched public-safety course developed in partnership with the Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Department. Staff said the course includes emergency-telecommunications training through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) and basic life-support/CPR instruction from an American Heart Association-certified instructor. Two recent graduates, named on the record as Emily Wines and Alexis Perry, performed a live dispatch/call-taking simulation for trustees demonstrating radio traffic, call-handling and multi-agency coordination.

Presenters said students achieved high pass rates on the IAED-aligned final exam; the sheriff's office and department representatives told the board certified students would be given direct application opportunities when entry-level positions opened. Board members praised the scenario-based training and noted the program was an example of local agencies collaborating to build workforce-ready skills for rural students.

The board was also told the program is a core component of a submission for the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Excellence in Workforce Readiness award; the board later approved that submission as an action item.

Looking ahead, staff said they are pursuing site approvals for dual-enrollment veterinary science credits through BRCC and continuing outreach to local employers to expand placement and certification opportunities. The board offered general support for continuing to scale credentialed CTE pathways and community partnerships.