Sean C. Morgan
The auto shop program at Sweet Home High School will be smaller next year, limited to two periods per day based on a smaller number of students taking the classes.
That change will result in fewer construction classes.
Dustin Nichol, construction trades and wood shop teacher, will teach the periods. The district laid off Bill Chandler, who has been the auto shop teacher for five years. Chandler succeeded Nichol when Nichol started teaching construction trades and wood shop. Nichol is also certified to teach metal shop.
The auto shop program was half-time.
“A lot of this has to do with the economy and due to a lack of numbers in the auto shop program from my understanding,” Nichol said. The school’s “economy” is its enrollment and the numbers of students taking classes.
Nichol said he would continue teaching construction trades, but he’ll teach fewer Construction I classes. He’s not certain exactly how it will play out.
Chandler in June urged the School Board to restore or even expand the program, telling board members that he has taken auto shop students to skills competitions. He also wanted the board to make the program full time.
Former students and family members signed a petition and wrote letters in support of keeping the program.
“The high school really needs to maintain the three vocational programs we have,” Chandler said. Many students do not attend four-year colleges, and these programs help them rise above unskilled laborers after they graduate.
“Everybody drives a car,” Chandler said. “And the program really helps students prepare for life and a technical career in a lot of different ways.”
Freshmen need electives, he said, and he suggested adding a small gasoline engine class for them, something the school used to offer. Some freshmen are interested, but they haven’t matured enough to work on vehicles. Such a program would give them a chance to get started as freshmen.
Auto I and II have about 20 to 22 students, while the average class in the program has a class size of about 16, Chandler said. Advanced classes are smaller.
The program isn’t going away, Supt. Don Schrader told the board. A couple of periods will be offered.
To meet Perkins Grant funding requirements, students have to be able to take four classes in three years, said Principal Pat Stineff.
“We do think it’s important,” Schrader said. “It’s going to continue. When we budget, it’s about choices.”
There hadn’t been a lot of interest in the classes, Schrader said
Chairman Jason Redick said he has a freshman who would have loved any opportunity to begin taking auto shop classes during the 2011-12 school year.