Agriculture education could become the backbone of the new Chilliwack secondary school, as could cosmetology and or technology.

"At this point, anything is possible," said assistant superintendent Bob Patterson, who's leading the educational steering committee for the new CSS.

Members of the steering committee – including CSS staff, students, business leaders, and community members – have visited approximately 15 schools in B.C. and Alberta to view curriculum that may or may not work at the new CSS school.

Each school visited were fairly new, with innovative curriculum and technology, that included things like E-learning, nursing programs and theatrical makeup classes, as well as partnerships with the community, businesses and universities.

But it was the agriculture components that most interested some of the committee members.

"I think we have a very strong case for agriculture in our community," said CSS teacher Steve Anderson.

"The agriculture industry is huge. The opportunity for kids is huge."

According to Statistics Canada, agriculture was a $46 billion industry last year.

In addition to the production of foods, fuels, lumber, pharmaceuticals and fibers, marketing and retail sales also fall within the agriculture umbrella, as does methods for sustainable living, research and more.

"Farming isn't just about milking cows or growing brussels sprouts, it's now a far more advanced business," said Anderson. "It's so far beyond teaching students how to just be farmers.

"The school needs to be branded," said Anderson. "Do we want just another high school, or do we want a whole new generation of cool, a showpiece for our community?"

Patterson, however, said that while agriculture education could become a component of the new school, it won't be the only component. CSS will not be a school of choice, like F.G. Leary Fine Arts school, it will offer a broad spectrum of comprehensive education.

"We need to figure out what the needs of the kids today are, compared to the needs of the kids 50 years from now," said Patterson. "Right now, approximately 30 per cent of our students are not being as successful as they should be in the district. We need to figure out what we can do better to captivate that 30 per cent."

One school visited, Olds high school in Alberta, featured a cosmetology curriculum that worked in conjunction with the art and drama departments. It also had an E-learning facility that featured video conferencing and interactive white boards. Other schools featured strong career prep and trades programs, and most of the schools featured wireless Internet.

"We need to identify what the priorities for our school are, and what the best programs are that we can incorporate to make the new school work," said Patterson.

While at the same time keeping the strengths of the current school strong.

The educational steering committee will be putting forth its recommendations next month.

kbartel@theprogress.com