A tentative timeline is set to open a handful of new Toledo Public Schools programs and magnet schools that would let students earn college credit and industry credentials during high school.
In September, Superintendent Romules Durant unveiled plans for at least five new programs geared toward commercial vehicles, construction, the maritime industry, the performing arts, and teaching.
A new planning outline shows that by fall of 2024, officials expect to open some of those new programs and schools, with a handful of others likely not coming to fruition for an additional year or more.
One of the schools TPS officials hope to open in 2024 is a new educator academy with the University of Toledo. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, members approved a resolution to to negotiate the purchase of the University of Toledo’s Driscoll Center, located at 2800 West Bancroft St.
The academy would be geared to those interested in the teaching profession. It would allow students to earn credentials to become a paraprofessional, as well as earn college credit.
Other plans by for the fall of 2024 include separating the aerospace and natural science high schools into two locations and launching an electric vehicle program at Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering. Last year, the district received $1.2 million in federal funds to help start one of the nation’s few electric vehicle programs that offer students, current auto mechanics, and others training and certification to repair the electric cars.
Programs and schools that don’t yet have a tentative start date include the creation of a Maritime Academy at Point Place, a construction academy, and a fine arts and performing arts program. Other goals on the wait-and-see list include opening an alternative school for student behavior, and launching new science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs at Bowsher and Waite high schools.
Jim Gault, the district's executive transformational leader of curriculum, said plans for such new programs often encounter several hurdles.
“Remember, you're seeing an educator shortage across the country and these programs would require additional staff,” he said. “And then of course there’s finances, which if you start looking at five-year forecasts from school districts, they're pretty bleak so you've got to consider all of those factors for whether you're moving into one of these programs or not.
“We believe there's value in exploring them and our hope is that we’ll pull them off,” he added.
Mr. Durant said the district’s current magnet school, and a similar program that specializes in aviation, agriculture, business, and medicine are vital to giving students a step up in attaining a post-secondary education, as well as certifications and skills to attain high-paying jobs immediately after graduation.
“So now we’re producing graduates who have an academic and a financial advantage because the kids are earning these at no cost to themselves, and they’re graduating from here with skills and certifications so they can get those higher paying jobs, which will help them in the long term,” he said. “And through our partnerships with area industry, many times those are kids who are staying and working here are putting money back in the community while continuing their education locally.
“So by doing this, taxpayers are really getting a good return on their investment,” he added.
Toledo school board member Polly Taylor-Gerken said she sees the merit of the magnet schools and degree programs, but agrees with Mr. Gault that the process to establish them shouldn’t be rushed, and opening timelines can always change.
“The timeline is what it is supposed to be, based on whatever due diligence is required to make sure we get it right,” she said.
First Published March 3, 2023, 8:02 p.m.
