In August of 2027, the Council Bluffs School District plans to open a STEM Innovation High School. This new school is designed to focus on project-based learning and will prepare students for high-demand jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
This new program could have many advantages for future education in the Council Bluffs Community School District, but it has raised concerns with parents and educators.
“I think it will be a unique opportunity for students who have a true passion or talent for STEM subject. It gives the school a unique opportunity to teach and assess students in innovative ways,” said science teacher Justin Heckman.
“The opening may be a polarizing issue for some teachers. There is a sense that specialized programs, like a STEM school or ECA, can pull talented students from the building leaving a deficit of positive role models.”
Concerned parents and educators look at the possibility of a new school funded by taxpayers taking away money from public schools; however, our district has begun fundraising.
“We are currently working on fundraising to use public and private funds. We will continue to raise money for the school as we begin planning for construction and reviewing applications,” Superintendent Dr. Vickie Murillo told the Echoes.
The primary goal of the new STEM high school is to send students to college who will already have the necessary skills in their field.
“We don’t know what it will be like or who will be there. I am a big fan of encouraging more kids to get into STEM, so if this school does that, then I suppose I am happy about it,” said engineering teacher Ryan Higgins.
Murillo hopes this school will attract more STEM-focused businesses into the Council Bluffs community. Beyond the local benefits, these students will build their critical thinking abilities and go on to tackle larger issues in the world, according to an article at CBCSD.org.
“The STEM School will increase our school’s enrollment and attract businesses as the metropolitan area is becoming one of the largest STEM areas,” said Murillo.
The Council Bluffs STEM Innovation High School presents a challenge, balancing the promise of a specialized education with valid concerns of equity and funding, which leaves students, parents, and educators waiting to see what will come of this program.
