Voters in Spokane will decide this November on a $200 million, 20-year bond proposed by Spokane Public Schools. A central feature of the bond is the creation of a new, full-time trades high school designed to provide students with a direct path to high-demand careers.
The proposed school, a partnership with Spokane Community College, would offer a four-year program where students could earn both a high school diploma and a two-year trade degree simultaneously, focusing on fields like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Key Takeaways
- Spokane Public Schools is proposing a $200 million bond for voter approval in November.
- A key project is a new full-time, four-year high school focused on technical trades.
- The school would be a partnership with Spokane Community College, located on its campus.
- Graduates would receive both a high school diploma and a two-year trade school degree.
- The curriculum will integrate standard academic subjects with hands-on, project-based learning.
A New Approach to Career and Technical Education
Spokane Public Schools has introduced a significant proposal aimed at reshaping career-focused education in the region. The plan, contingent on the passage of a $200 million bond, involves establishing a specialized high school dedicated entirely to technical trades. This initiative seeks to provide an alternative educational path for students who wish to enter skilled professions immediately after graduation.
The proposed institution would operate in collaboration with Spokane Community College (SCC) and be housed on its campus. The Max M. Snyder Building, also known as Building 50, is being considered as the potential location. This partnership aims to leverage the college's resources and provide students with mentorship from industry professionals currently working in their fields of study.
Addressing Workforce Demands
The school's curriculum would be structured around three high-demand sectors: construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. By focusing on these areas, the district intends to create a pipeline of skilled workers to fill local and regional job market needs, offering students a clear and accelerated route to well-paying careers.
Distinction from Existing Vocational Programs
The proposed trades high school is designed to complement, not replace, the existing Newtech Skill Center. While Newtech offers valuable half-day supplemental trades education to juniors and seniors from 11 area school districts, district officials state it lacks the capacity to meet current student demand.
The new school would differ fundamentally in its structure. Unlike the Newtech model where students split their day between their home high school and the skill center, this would be a full-time, immersive four-year high school experience. All state-mandated academic requirements would be fulfilled on-site, integrated directly into the technical curriculum.
Dual-Credit Advantage
A significant benefit of the proposed model is its outcome: graduates would leave with both a high school diploma and a two-year trade school degree from Spokane Community College. This dual achievement could save students significant time and money on post-secondary education.
Integrating Academics with Hands-On Learning
A core principle of the proposed high school is the integration of traditional liberal arts education with practical, trade-based projects. Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Adam Swinyard explained that core subjects like English, history, and civics would be taught through the lens of a student's chosen trade.
“For instance, understanding the three branches of government,” Swinyard noted. “A kid in a comprehensive high school may be learning that through the lens of current topics or voters rights, while a kid in a trades high school might be learning about the three branches in relation to how policies make their way to the worksite or affect apprenticeship programs.”
This project-based approach aims to make academic learning more relevant and engaging for students focused on technical skills. Swinyard provided another example of how multiple disciplines could be combined into a single, large-scale project.
“We’re going to build a small home, for example, and we’re going to bring in biology because we have to evaluate the site and the landscape, and we’re going to fold in the civics component through the process to get the permits you need,” he said. “They’ll pick a project and try to fold in as many disciplines as they can.”
While Swinyard acknowledged that some historical topics might not translate directly to a workshop setting, the goal is to create a curriculum where academic knowledge is applied in a tangible, career-oriented context whenever possible.
The Path to Implementation
The future of the trades high school depends entirely on the outcome of the November bond vote. If voters approve the $200 million measure, the school would not launch at full capacity immediately. Instead, officials have outlined a phased approach to its opening.
Phased Rollout Plan
According to school officials, the initial launch would likely include:
- A cohort of 9th-grade high school students.
- A group of 11th-grade students participating through the Running Start program.
The school would then expand its grade levels in subsequent years, eventually growing into a full four-year institution. This strategy allows the district and its college partner to scale the program effectively, ensuring that resources and curriculum are well-established as the student body grows.
The bond proposal represents a significant investment in career and technical education for Spokane, offering a new model that could serve as a blueprint for other districts looking to bridge the gap between high school and skilled employment.