On Friday, January 24th, the Mancos School District proudly launched its first Commercial Driver's License (CDL) course, marking a significant milestone in career readiness for our students. This inaugural cohort included four of our senior students, who eagerly began their journey toward earning their CDL certification.
The instructional portion of the course was led by Bart Small, the district’s experienced Transportation Director, and Todd Cordery, a key collaborator in this program. In addition, Dr. Opie Hainey came onsite to administer DOT physicals, ensuring that students met the required health standards. The students are now scheduled for their permit tests and are set to begin behind-the-wheel training later this month in partnership with Eclipse DOT and Dailey CDL Solutions.
This innovative program is further enhanced by the generous contributions of our community. Bart Small introduced the newest addition to our transportation fleet: a 2016 International truck donated by Piggyback Towing and Transportation. This vehicle allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience, better preparing them for their CDL tests. In addition, Tucker Trucking Co. out of Cortez has donated a trailer and $5,000 to support the program.
To ensure the sustainability and growth of this initiative, a grant has been submitted to secure additional funding. We anticipate learning the outcome of this grant application in April.
This CDL course is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the district’s commitment to providing students with meaningful career-readiness opportunities. The cost of this program, valued at $8,000 per student, is made possible through generous donations and community partnerships. Students are asked to make a very small financial contribution, which helps offset the cost of taking the permit test and the onsite physical. By offering practical training and partnerships with local businesses, the program equips students with the skills and certifications needed to pursue rewarding careers in transportation and logistics.
We are excited to see this program thrive and look forward to celebrating the successes of our first cohort. Additionally, a second cohort is scheduled to begin in March, expanding opportunities for more students to join this impactful program. Thank you to all who have contributed to making this vision a reality!