Strategizing how to make Career and Technical Education available to more students, Washington Academy has agreed to pick up the cost to make it happen for aspiring area youth.

"The Board of Trustees has agreed to take over the program this year," confirmed Judson McBrine, Head of School at Washington Academy. "We can operate it ourselves, but what we would like to seek is a partner and see it operated as a state-approved program, as it was under School Union No. 134.   Seeking a state-approved program makes sense, because then a portion of the sending town’s tuition, which they already pay, would be reimbursed to them as vocational expense, which for some towns would be at a high rate of subsidy," explains McBrine.

Cutler, Machiasport and Whiting assumed responsibility for the Marine Trades Program when M.S.A.D. No 77 dissolved, but plummeting state school subsidy caused the towns to rethink their role.  The general consensus was that everybody wants the program in place, but how do you pay for it, until now, when Washington Academy stepped up to the plate. This school year will see the program consist of Marine Trades I and II, Marine Engines I & II, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design and Automotive Technology I & II.  Other Career Technology offerings at the Academy will include Certified Nurses Assistant, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, and Introduction to Mechanical Trades.

School Union No. 134 will continue to be responsible for the Jobs for Maine’s Graduates Program at WA for this school year and they agreed to allow Washington Academy to continue to use the programs equipment as long as the program is in operation.  Allowing WA to use the programs current equipment is a big help.  Taking on the expense of the program was difficult, but if we also had to purchase equipment it would have made it nearly impossible.

Board President Richard Gardner stated, "The Board of Trustees has always valued Career and Technical Education, and how important it is to our young people. We’re also excited to be preparing people for careers they can do right here in Washington County."

Leading the career technology mission is seen as a primary move in addressing a community need. "It was obvious with drastic cuts in subsidy that Cutler, Machiasport and Whiting could no longer afford to support the program", said McBrine. "We are glad we can do it, and right now we are strategizing ways we can keep the program viable and moving forward.   We will be seeking out potential partners in order to keep this valuable program in Washington County and a skilled workforce is vital if we want to grow the local economy.”

Instructors Shawn Schmitter, Clint Tuttle and Mike Little