School board considers cutting driver’s education at HHS

Talk about it

Among the budget cuts being considered by the Hudson Board of Education is a change in the driver’s education program at Hudson High School.

If approved, the fee to take driver’s training at HHS would increase by $100 to $300 in 2010-11. The district administration recommended that the program no longer be offered at the school beginning with the 2011-12 school year.

The net cost of the program after fees is around $96,000 a year. The fee increase next year would save the district $37,500.

District administrators made the recommendation at Tuesday’s school board meeting. Deputy superintendent Nancy Sweet said while some districts in the area still offer driver’s training, many do not. She said there are private driving schools in the Hudson area that could provide the training for HHS students at a cost of between $350-400.

Sweet also pointed out that the class is not offered for credit and does “not closely align with HSD 2025,” the districts strategic plan.

HHS driver’s education teacher Bob Branson addressed the board at the end of the meeting. He has taught the class full-time for the past 11 years and says he has a passion for it. “Everything I teach in this class is important, practical and relevant for our students. And the training is mandated by the state for all new drivers.”

He added that private schools do not provide the curriculum, particularly in the classroom, that he does in his classes. Regular guest speakers include emergency room personnel, police officers, lawyers and insurance representative. “Students see the affect their driving choices can have,” said Branson.

Branson said he would like to work with the administration and the board to find a way to keep the class at HHS. The board will take action on the recommendation this spring.

More information about the driver’s education program at HHS and the district’s recommendation to cut the program will appear in the Feb. 18 edition of the Star-Observer.

Tags: high school, school board, education