PVHS principal named 27J’s director of post secondary workforce readiness, CTE

Superintendent Chris Fiedler announced today that Mike Burke has been selected as the 27J Schools next director of postsecondary and workforce readiness. In addition to leading the district’s initiatives that prepare students for success after high school, a major part of his job will be to oversee the district’s popular career and technical education (CTE) program.

Currently serving as the principal at Prairie View High School, Mike has shepherded his school’s CTE program which, today, receives high praise for the quality of courses, teachers and the vision to prepare students for a career they can enter right after high school. 

“I will work tirelessly to ensure that every student has available opportunities, with limited barriers, to achieve their goals for the future and ensure staff have the necessary resources and support to guide them along the way,” Mike said.

Mike came to 27J Schools in 2013 when he was named an assistant principal at Prairie View High School. He served as part of the school administration in planning, implementing district and school policies and made leadership decisions to support the state, students and community. He then was selected to serve as the principal of Prairie View High School in 2019.

“We know Mike is going to be a huge success in this leadership role because of his deep commitment to every student and his ability to build quality teams and programs,” Deputy Superintendent Will Pierce said. “Mike has the enthusiasm and tenacity to improve our programs that set students on the best path to success through college enrollment, military enlistment or employment.”

The 27J community has been a strong supporter of career and technical education. Voters approved a bond issue in 2021 which provides for a STEM/CTE center to be built at each of the district’s high schools. Those new facilities will expand each school’s capacity by about 300 seats and will feature some of the finest industry-specific tools and machines to provide students hands-on learning and skills. Students can test their skills and earn industry certificates in areas such as welding, culinary arts, national health science, engineering, automotive service, construction, and more. The new centers will open next fall.

Mike will take over the position when Paul Francisco, the program’s current director, retires on June 30, 2023.