Kewanee school officials are planning to add two new opportunities for students to focus their education on specific career goals.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Kewanee School Board approved hiring instructors for new career pathways. They hired former Kewanee Police Chief Nicholas Welgat as a teacher in a law enforcement pathway and transferred Tara Hewitt from school nurse at the high school to teacher in a pathway for Certified Nurse Assistants.
The career pathways are part of an initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education called the College and Career Pathways Endorsement, which enables students to focus their high school education on their career goals in specific areas.
Students who complete the career pathways courses will graduate with an endorsement on their diplomas certifying their preparation for specific careers.
Requirements of the career pathways program include completing at least 60 hours working in the field they’re pursuing.
KHS already has career pathways in education and welding.
Supt. Rebecca Baney said the law enforcement and CNA pathways still must be approved by the state.
Other hires approved by the school board Tuesday included Eric Westerlund to succeed Jose Bermudez as KHS soccer coach, and Brooklyn Kazubowski to succeed Brea Cinnamon as head volleyball coach.
