Community speakers push for CTE pathways and reuse of former adult‑education building

During public comment at the June 17 meeting, community members urged the board to accelerate Career and Technical Education (CTE) and career‑connection pathways that would prepare students for local construction and entertainment projects and argued the district should pursue adaptive reuse of the former adult‑education building rather than leaving it vacant.

Kyle Patterson and Wesley Crump described emerging local jobs and construction opportunities and said the district should create in‑school pathways tied to trade unions and local contractors so students can graduate with credentials and job placements. "Treat it like an elective at the school with cooking or automotive," Crump said, arguing that trades provide durable careers for students who do not pursue a four‑year college path.

John Hughes, the ITA representative who spoke during both the public hearing and agenda comment periods, urged community‑based partnerships that employ district students and warned of rising certificated resignations. "We're losing some good veterans... they don't think that sacrifice was actually valued," he said, calling on the district to value and retain staff while expanding programmatic opportunities.

Cheryl Matthews urged creative revenue uses for the former adult‑education site — proposing ideas such as a community skating rink or event center — and suggested expanding dual‑language immersion and wellness programs to attract families to Inglewood schools.

Why it matters: Community proposals align with the district's stated priorities for college and career readiness and with the board's stated need to increase enrollment and local revenue. Commenters tied workforce opportunities and program expansion to strategies for improving ADA and district revenue.

Outcome: These ideas were offered during public comment; staff said they would follow up with interested community members and with next steps. No formal board vote was taken.