The New Bloomfield R-III School District will most likely offer new classes in its Vocational Business Education program next school year, according to a recent school report.
The New Bloomfield school board heard updates on the district's Vocational Business Education Program at its regular meeting last week. Teacher Patrick Center completed the report on the business program for the board and he said the district should be able to offer additional classes in the fall.
Center said the school won't teach accounting anymore, and instead is looking to add a multimedia class, desktop publishing class and may possibly intro to business and business management courses.
"For the students, I think it will be more beneficial for them," Center told the board.
He said the school is looking to upgrade some of its technology and software in the business program to accommodate those additional courses.
Center said one of the program's goals is to increase the number of completers, students who have met all of the program's requirements, in the business program. In order to do that, the high school will need to make more classes available.
"Updating the curriculum will allow us to provide more classes under the business, management and technology career clusters," Center's program evaluation report stated. "By doing so, it will increase the number of completers and enable us to receive more money from enhancement grants."
When the district receives grants for its business program, the amount of money it receives for one-to-one items, such as technology, is determined by the number of complete's the program has.
The program's enrollment, he said, has remained about the same the past few years. To further promote the business program, Center said increasing course offerings is important. He recommended offering more classes under the "career cluster" and rotating different classes each year, while keeping some classes each year.
Center discussed two other goals in his report with the board: promote the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club to actively involve business students and write a grant for an interactive projector and updated educational software. He said the school turned in an enhancement grant to the Department of Secondary Education and is waiting on the department's approval.
The district received that enhancement grant in the past and purchased equipment and software for students with the funds. Center emphasized the importance of having the most up-to-date technology and software for students to support student success.
The district is considering budgeting for a part-time technology coordinator next year. A current teacher would teach part time and assist other teachers in better integrating technology into the classroom the rest of the time.
Regarding promoting FBLA, Center said the program is a benefit to students, giving them a sense for how the business world works. The FBLA worked with the yearbook to sell ads for the yearbook. Center said that worked well and was good experience for students. He added that FBLA will continue to do that in the future. Furthermore, Center said he wants to find a community service project for students to participate in. He wants students to give back to the community and is looking for a project that would benefit business students in the district.
Center said he often reminds students that they will use the skills they learn in the business education program all of their lives.
"Whether they (students) realize it or not, everything is a business," Center said.