Red Hook Central School District

No, the first class in the welding CTE pathway has already been approved by the Board of Education. However, the high school facilities need upgrades to support the equipment needed to facilitate that class and the rest of the pathway. The proposition authorizes the district to spend the money to make those upgrades to the high school.

No. Though it’s sometimes referred to as a welding proposition, the upgrades would benefit several aspects of technology education as it would also create a dedicated woodworking classroom and benefit other classes, as well.

Yes, but while the equipment, electrical and ventilation in Room 185 has been enough to support existing metalworking classes, upgraded amenities are needed to properly train students in the planned welding pathway, and to ensure safe working conditions.

Yes, and many have been successful doing so. We’re proud to partner with Dutchess BOCES to expand the career training avenues available to our students to pursue.

However, trades skills – namely the abilities to work with materials to build or repair, and to follow a plan through to its completion – are incredibly valuable in today’s world and will only continue to become more valuable. We feel it is important to offer instruction in those areas directly to students within the high school, where possible. And, we’ve seen the demand for metalworking, in particular, has soared in recent years beyond the space available in BOCES’ program to accomodate all of our interested students.

BOCES career training programs will continue to be available to our students just as they always have. But by hosting our own welding program we can better meet student demand in that area and reduce the time those students would spend traveling to and from BOCES’ campus.