Over the past year, ROCORI
Secondary Schools have
experienced significant
changes, driven by the receipt of
a two-year Youth Skills Training
grant focused on Advanced
Manufacturing. This grant has
opened doors for students, allowing
them to explore new career
pathways while gaining valuable
skills.

In partnership with Coldspring,
ROCORI applied for this grant
through the Department of Labor
and Industry. Greg Flint, the
President of Coldspring, and his
team have played a crucial role
in supporting these programs,
particularly in the manufacturing
sector at ROCORI Schools. Their
collaboration has created more
educational opportunities for
students.

The school year began with an
informative presentation by Luke
Greiner from the Department
of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED) during our
back to school teacher workshop.
This provided ROCORI staff with
insights into local job markets and
economic conditions. Following
this presentation, teachers had
the opportunity to visit Coldspring
(Granite) to gain firsthand knowledge
of the manufacturing processes
occurring in their community.
One of the first initiatives undertaken
was the creation of Spartan
Paths. These pathways include
Agriculture and Natural Sciences,
Business, Arts and Communication,
Engineering and Trades and Health
and Human Services. Departments
and instructional coaches worked
together to align elective offerings
with these pathways, revamping the
registration process and guidance
materials to help students choose
classes that match their interests
and career goals.

A key objective for ROCORI is to
strengthen connections between
the school and the local community.
This effort aims to provide students
with opportunities to learn about
available careers and help meet
the employment needs in the area.
To support this initiative, ROCORI
high school students participated in
tours of several local manufacturers,
including Coldspring, Rotochopper,
Renegade Truck Equipment, Louis
Industries, and Avon Plastics,
among others.

The school is also focused on
building strong relationships with
area businesses through the Cold
Spring Area Chamber of Commerce.
An exciting event on the horizon is
the first annual ROCORI Career Fair,
scheduled for Sept. 25, 2025.
This event will feature more than
50 local businesses and postsecondary
institutions, providing
students with a platform to
explore various career options and
understand the pathways leading to
them.

Through these initiatives, ROCORI
Secondary Schools are not only
enhancing educational experiences
for students, but also fostering a
connection with the community that
benefits everyone.