By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Hewitt-Trussville High School may be looking at the possibility of a co-op program for next year, according to Principal Tim Salem.
Salem and Secondary Curriculum Director Jennifer Cardwell presented the possibility to the Trussville City Board of Education at Monday’s work session. Salem said the school is looking at the “feasibility” of adding a co-op program, which the school hasn’t had in at least three years.
The high school instead has academies in the fields of biomedical sciences, business and finance, electrical construction, engineering, hospitality and culinary arts, and information technology.
Cardwell said she believes a co-op program — which helps students who may not want to go to college earn school credits while learning trades — and the academies could co-exist. She noted that standards are called College- and Career-Ready Standards.
“We want to attack it from both sides,” Cardwell said.
New Hewitt-Trussville High School graduation coach/counselor Leta McGehee said trades should be provided for students who aren’t planning on going to college. She said that she’s always believed when students walk across the stage at graduation, they need to have something in mind for what they want to do.
“Co-op would help a lot,” McGehee said. “They’re getting a two-for-one to help their family and themselves.”
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
