America (FFA) to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), these programs provide tangible career foundations.“We have kids go to the national conference every year,” notes Brown, highlighting the competitive opportunities available.“The programs themselves have their own fundraising activities, the community supports them really well, and it’s a fascinating set of experiences for our older kiddos,” he adds. The district’s CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program stands out as Kansas’s only such initiative. Students develop full business plans while connecting with local mentors. “The kiddos actually work on a business plan and establish some kind of personal business,” Brown explains. “One of the driving factors for the program is to try to encourage kiddos to develop a business that they could perhaps come back to their home communities and continue.” Board President Chris West emphasizes the professional rigor, adding, “they have to dress professionally... and learn to look eye to eye with business owners in town when they meet with them.” A newer addition is the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program.“This will be another opportunity for young people to be a little bit more focused on their future than sometimes what typical school tends to do,” notes Brown. These CTE initiatives share a common thread of transforming classroom knowledge into professional competence. As West observes, students gain exposure to diverse business models, from “an office job or a t-shirt graphic design job,” preparing them for multiple career trajectories. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AUSD’s commitment to excellence extends to its physical spaces, with strategic investments transforming learning environments. The 2014 bond projects set a strong foundation, funding a new elementary school and a remarkable auditorium.“The cost of the auditorium to build surpassed the cost of building the elementary school from the ground up,” 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
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