businesses and community leaders. Some employers have already expressed interest in making real job offers to standout students. Bearss sees the event as a powerful opportunity to demonstrate both the labor shortage and the preparedness of Yale students. PRIORITIZING SAFETY AND MODERN LEARNING Safety remains Yale’s top facility priority. The district has been steadily adding secure vestibules to all buildings, with the final installation scheduled for completion next year. Long-term infrastructure improvements funded through a 2021 bond have addressed HVAC systems, roofing, and essential maintenance, ensuring buildings remain safe, efficient, and conducive to learning. Looking ahead, a potential 2026 bond could support HVAC modernization at the high school and possibly fund a major capital project, such as a field house, auditorium, or a combination performance and athletic facility. Sutton emphasizes the importance of stewardship. “We’ve been fortunate that the community has entrusted us with funds,” he says. “We want to show we’re good stewards of that investment.” A VISION FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS As the district plans for the future, Sutton explains that the Portrait of a Learner will guide academic and cultural priorities. The framework focuses on the traits employers and colleges consistently seek—communication, collaboration, adaptability, citizenship, and critical thinking. “The jobs that will pay well in five years might not exist today, but these 418 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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