As teachers of Career Technical Education (CTE) classes in Davis schools, we encourage a yes vote on Measure W. 
 
CTE classes offer learning opportunities and a sense of connectedness to students who prefer following a specific career path, or a mind-in and hands-on approach.  The Davis Joint Unified School District recently adopted a CTE plan that identified career pathways in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Business and Computer Technology, Industrial Education, and Home Economics.  This plan, developed by CTE teachers, will assist DJUSD in attracting outside funding for the continued development of CTE courses and facilities.
 
But successful pathways depend upon sequential and consistent course offerings.  This consistency was threatened by last spring's proposed budget cuts.  Our courses, which often do not run at 30 students per section, were protected for one year by funds raised by the Davis Schools Foundation. Measure W will secure that funding for an additional three years.

California has a shortage of trained CTE teachers, teachers who are the very heart of these programs for students.  Should Measure W fail and CTE courses need to be reduced or eliminated, these teachers will be forced to seek job security elsewhere.  It will take DJUSD years to regain the momentum so recently developed.  This can be prevented.
 
We ask that you vote yes on Measure W so Davis students continue to design, create, build, nurture and excel in the world of tomorrow.

Brian Donnelly,
Timothy McCormick
Caroline Loomis,
Jeannē Pettigrew,
Amy Schulte,
Jennifer Sommer,
Grant Ermis,
Robert Thayer,
Jan Takeuchi,
Lance Gunnersen