Steamboat Pilot & Today

Grab a hammer and get on the bus.

That could be the routine for local high school students in coming years. Administrators from the three Routt County school districts will meet with representatives from Colorado Mountain College, Colorado Northwestern Community Col-lege, The Industrial Company, Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association, Yampa Val-ley Medical Center, city and county officials, local businesspeople and others next week to discuss regionalizing high school vocational programs.

Examining the high school's career, technology and vocational programs is part of the long-term strategic plan for the Steamboat Springs School District. Superintendent Donna Howell said that by bringing such a wide variety of people together to discuss vocational programs, Monday's meeting will be an important part of the examination -- and possibly expansion -- process.

"I imagine we'll start out by looking at what exists, then talk about obstacles and problems and how to move forward," she said.

The Steamboat Springs Sch-ool Board approved two new career and technology classes, Medical Prep and Fundamentals of Design, for Steamboat Springs High School at its meeting last week.

In other school district news, Howell said applications are being accepted for the district's director of curriculum and in--struction position, currently held by Ann Sims, who was hired in May. Sims' one-year contract ends in June.

"I'm sure that (Sims) will be a candidate for the position, but we are opening it up (for applications)," Howell said.

The Education Fund Board funds the position's salary on a year-by-year basis. Howell said whoever is hired for the position will receive a one-year contract.

"I can't give anyone a guarantee that the position will be here for more than one year," she said, adding that she hopes the position will remain part of the district.

"I would not feel comfortable eliminating the position -- we have quite a bit of work to do," Howell said.