USD 431 School Board, decided at a special meeting on Monday, to proceed with an entrepreneurship program similar to the Stafford Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Program (SEED).
The SEED center in Stafford is a wonderful boost to that community. The beautiful, historic building has been renovated and restored, and sets a high standard for main street.
It is considered an innovative project throughout the state.
They offer commercial equipment that the students can use for their own business. This includes a bicycle stand/repair equipment; sewing machine, airbrush, large format poster/banner printer, garment printer, rotary engraver and color laser copier.
The SEED center chooses to work with local businesses, and not compete but coordinate.
This is as close to the true experience of running a business as a high school can offer. Students will still lack experience in the financial investment and the hours required to run an actual business.
The community of Hoisington is proceeding with its own project.
They plan to purchase a building in downtown Hoisington and offer students at the high school a chance to peddle their products. This is a wonderful use of a downtown building in an era where retail business has changed so much and rural communities need to fill empty store fronts.
Hoisington High School has had an entrepreneurship class for several years, and they currently run a coffee shop at the school. This added program will no doubt attract students to their school.
This is 21st century learning at its finest, involving cross-curricular learning that includes job skills and technology.

Karen La Pierre