Getting into gear — SHS senior takes advantage of state’s Advanced Opportunities fund

SANDPOINT — In Idaho, every public-school student is allotted $4,625 for educational opportunities that will prepare them for post-graduation life.

Sandpoint High School senior Owen Decker is among the first students in the Panhandle to put that money toward a commercial driver’s license — a certificate that will enable him to start his own business after he receives his diploma in June.

“I'm getting into forestry and excavation, which means that I'll be moving heavy loads of material pretty much regularly,” Decker said. “Anything heavy equipment-oriented, that's what I love doing. That's where I'm going to be in the future, and a CDL will help me get there.” 

Decker is currently approaching the end of a month-long Class A CDL course instructed through North Idaho College at the Parker Technical Education Center in Rathdrum. The process of enrolling in the course began with a meeting with SHS Post-Secondary Counselor Jeralyn Mire, during which he explained his career ambitions. When Mire brought the program to his attention, he jumped at the opportunity. 

“He just said, ‘Yeah — I’m all in,’” said Mire. 

Decker then passed a series of preliminary tests — including a 100-question general knowledge exam — to qualify for the November nine-day weekend program. According to Decker, the course began with online instruction before students climbed into the cab and practiced operating heavy vehicles in a parking lot.  

Decker said instructors catered to the career ambitions of students; since Decker plans to work in forestry, he has mostly practiced behind the wheel of a logging truck.  

“The quality of the teaching there has been perfect,” said Decker. “The people there are extremely knowledgeable and have been in the trade for 20-plus years.”  

Decker also lauded the program’s commitment to students’ safety. When a forecast called for winter weather earlier in the month, instructors adjusted the course’s schedule to make sure none of the participants were put in a dangerous situation. 

“They 100% put the students first over the curriculum,” Decker said. “I’m super grateful for that.” 

If Advanced Opportunities funds were not available, Decker would have to cover the course’s $4,700 fee himself — a cost that has a potential to inhibit young adults who haven’t had time to save money. Additionally, saving thousands of dollars on training frees up funds for equipment, fuel and other costs associated with entering the workforce. 

“The biggest thing for me is that I'll be able to move all my own equipment, which will be super sweet, because I don't have to pay anyone else to do it,” Decker said. “It opens up a whole new corridor of being flexible with my own schedule, lining up jobs how I want them to be.”   

A statewide shift 

Last school year, Idaho’s Advanced Opportunities program distributed over $28 million to 44,000 students across the state. According to a State Department of Education report, 85% of those students used the money to enroll in dual credit courses designed to count toward a college degree. During that period, only 1% of students applied funds toward workforce training — something state officials are aiming to change as part of a broad push to reshape Idaho’s education system. 

Increasing career technical education opportunities has been a focal point for Idaho’s legislators and educators in recent years. The state has awarded tens of millions of dollars in grants for facilities and programs designed to boost infrastructure for students aiming to enter a trade or acquire specialty career skills in high school. 

“10-15 years ago, there was a really strong push and focus on getting students to go on to a two- or four-year college degree,” IDE K-12 Initiatives Director Allison Duman told Lake Pend Oreille School District administrators during an October visit to Ponderay.   

“That is a great path, and we want our students to do that, but it's not really the path for all of our students,” Duman said. 

Mire listed Decker as an example of a student capable of pursuing a college degree but with ambitions that lie elsewhere. 

“Owen is a great example, because he is super talented academically. He could go down either path,” Mire said. “I think it's very honorable to be in a trade, and I think sometimes we don't give credit to people who are interested in the trades and going to work.”    

“He has a vision,” Mire added. “He wants to bring it to life. So, we said, ‘Let's let him do that.’” 

After Decker graduates in June, he plans to work independently to develop a hazard tree removal and firewood business before eventually transitioning into property management.  

“Let's say you buy yourself 10 acres and you want to put a house on it. You need a driveway, you need septic, you need a pad for your building cut in. I want to do all of that,” Decker said. “Let's face it: Idaho has a lot of people coming in, and I think it's something that could be capitalized on.”  

With Decker’s participation in the course showing signs of success, Mire has since helped two other SHS students enroll in a future CDL class through NIC. 

“I really think it's neat for students to be able to take advantage of the opportunities and for us to be able to provide as many opportunities as we can,” Mire said. 

Holding the highest-level CDL will allow Decker and his classmates to hit the ground running at the end of the school year. Using their certificates, they will launch careers that will enable them to not only support themselves, but also meet the needs of local industries and play critical roles in Idaho’s rapidly expanding workforce. 

In Decker’s words: “I'll be ready to roll as soon as I graduate.”