GLADSTONE — S​tudents at Gladstone High School may get the opportunity to enroll in an agricultural science class this year.

Teacher Michelle Cole delivered a brief presentation to the Board of Education for Gladstone Area Schools about what such a course could entail during the Monday, July 21 board meeting.

“My hope with this new agriculture or agriscience program is to equip students with practical skills, scientific knowledge and real world experience,” Cole said. “It’s technically a two-year program with the potential of it being a three-year program depending on the student interest. Over the two years, we teach AFNR, which is Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, animal systems, plant systems and natural resources, and it aligns with Michigan State CTE agriscience pathways.”

Rather than just learning in a classroom, students would go on field trips, possibly once a month, and hear from knowledgeable people in the community.

Though currently an English teacher hired at Gladstone in 2023, Cole taught agriscience previously at Ellsworth Community Schools downstate (a little south of Charlevoix). She also draws from her own experience farming.

Elements of the class conducted before, and which she hopes to bring to Gladstone, include “inviting community members to speak about agricultural careers, collaborating with local food banks or gardens for service projects and developing student-led projects that benefit local initiatives,” Cole said.

Should the program be approved for Gladstone, Cole would seek to connect with local farms, conservation organizations, and colleges.

“The point is to have students collect soil samples, plant crops, study animal health and apply scientific methods in the real world context. It opens opportunities for careers in vet science, food systems, natural resources, ag technology and agribusiness,” she said.

“A huge component is something called SAE, which is a supervised agricultural experience. Every student will need to participate in some capacity — and it’s so broad, and it can kind of go with whatever the student’s interest is, and that’s why it’s really meant to be a two-year program,” Cole explained.

The board is to make a decision on whether to incorporate the class into the curriculum for the upcoming school year at the next meeting in August. Gladstone High School Principal Andy Jacques is optimistic about its adoption.

Other items covered by the school board on Monday:

– Professional development planning teams were approved for W. C. Cameron Elementary School, Gladstone High School, and Gladstone Middle School. At Cameron, members are LeeAnne Iverson, and Ann Shanabarger; at the middle school, Kim Brancheau, Josh Martin, Deborah Johnson, Martina Mileski, April Dahlin and Dave Ballard; at the high school, Diane Godlewski, Michelle Shurlow, Erika Fix and Scott Seymour.

– The board agreed to hire Ashley Summers as math interventionist at Jones Elementary, Julie Van Brocklin as second grade teacher, Irina Bruno and Terry Aicher as Teamster building aides, and Meggan Branstrom and Serena Maki as student teachers through Talent Together.

– Letters of resignation were accepted from junior varsity girls’ basketball coaches Tasi Martinez and bowling coach Rick Neumann.

– The board approved Schools of Choice Section 105/105C resolutions.

– After seeking requests for proposals to reseal and stripe all the parking lots for the school district, the board voted to award the job to Arnt Asphalt Sealing, who had submitted a lower bid than Draze Sealcoating.

– During a review of the bills, Business Manager Lisa Boudreau called attention to an increase in insurance prices. Liability went up by 5%, and automotive insurance rose by 21%.

– Board Member Joanna Wilbee-Amis suggested that, since the bond proposals failed, the district’s priorities for project funding be ranked — though made flexible — just so that the board understands which things are considered most important.

– Cameron Elementary Principal Katee Inghram shared that Billerud donated wood chips for the school’s outdoor classroom.

– High School Principal Andy Jacques announced that the 2013 F-150 the auto shop students had worked on has been sold for $3,100.