USD 489 Board of Education met for a regular meeting on April 26.

The president of North Central Kansas Technical College, Eric Burks, presented on the current partnership between Hays High and NCK Tech.

NCK Tech currently offers Spanish, Sociology, Government, American History to 1877 and American History from 1877 as concurrent credit opportunities.

In addition, NCK Tech offers partnership with other programs to give students experience in different fields. These include the Allied Health, Auto Technology, Culinary Arts, Electrical Technology and Pharmacy Technician programs.

“Students are coming to us for a purpose, and we’re helping them accomplish that and get them out into the work force,” Burks said.

NCK Tech will be offering a welding program in coming years.

“We’ve been able to teach Ellis High School students welding, and now we’re looking forward to doing that with Hays High as well,” Burks said.

According to Kansas Senate Bill 155, students can take technical college credits tuition free.

“When they take the college welding class that we’ll be teaching, the tuition on that will be free,” Burks said.

Operations Manager for the welding program, Joe Leroux, said he is excited to start the partnership with Hays High.

“We’ve worked in the past as advisory board members for some of your technical programs,” Leroux said. “We’ve had great success with this program at Ellis High School, very well received by parents, faculty, staff and of course the students, so we look forward to a strong partnership with you as well.”

21afeyerherm@usd489.com