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Spring/Summer 2025 Transportation Today Wisconsin™ | 11

The Ahnapee Diesel Center and Ahnapee Automotive Program

Algoma and Kewaunee. Students in their curriculum, students attain a one-year techni-
junior and senior years are given the oppor- cal diploma. Following graduation from high
tunity to earn college credits while also school, they may choose to ladder into an
receiving credit towards high school gradu- associate degree in automotive technology or
ation. a two-year technical diploma as an automo-
With successful completion of the tive technician.
college’s Diesel Maintenance Techni- “One of the themes that we have heard
cian (DMT) curriculum while in high loudly and clearly from our community, our
school, students attain a one-year technical business leaders in the transportation indus-
diploma. The required 26 credits include try and from the college is that there is a
courses such as Transportation Welding 1 huge need to produce highly trained automo-
& 2, Diesel Lab Operations, Intro to Diesel tive technicians, and that those technicians
Mechanics, Intro to Electrical Systems, can earn lucrative salaries in a very broad
Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 1 & 2, market,” says Luxemburg-Casco District
Chassis Sub-Systems, Hydraulic/ Pneu- Superintendent Glenn Schlender. “Because
matic Systems, and Engine Sub-Systems. of that messaging, we created the Ahnapee
Upon graduation from high school, Automotive program. “The district believes
students can choose to pursue a techni- in the importance of providing L-C students
cal diploma as a Diesel Heavy Equipment with a wide range of educational choices.
Technician or a Diesel Medium & Heavy This program is designed for those students
Truck Technician. Associate degrees in with a mechanical aptitude, who enjoy diag-
either Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology nosing and solving automotive challenges.”
Luxemburg-Casco School District the significant modifications within the or Diesel Medium & Heavy Truck Technol- To receive the one-year AMT technical
Located in the district’s former middle 4,200-square-foot main instructional area were ogy also are possible
school building on Church Street in Casco, the lowering of the concrete garage floor by student pathways.
the Ahnapee Diesel Center houses the first 2 feet to accommodate a full size semi-truck Strong support
credit-bearing, diesel-only high school cab, enlargement of the front overhead door from area companies
education program in to 18 feet, creation of and the regional trans-
Wisconsin and is one a new exterior ramp, portation industry
of roughly 20 such Almost all of the students in the addition of a rear have been a catalyst
programs nationwide. the diesel program have been overhead door to facil- in getting the Ahnapee
Its facility fea- placed in the Ahnapee Youth itate entry of smaller Diesel program off the
tures a 4,200-square Apprenticeship program with our diesel equipment, ground. “With the help
foot main instruc- enhanced exhaust of many area compa-
tional area, along with partner businesses. We believe systems and ductwork nies who have been
a 1,000-square-foot that the L-C diesel program will be to adequately distrib- willing to form strong
classroom space. The a win-win for our students and the ute air and mitigate partnerships with L-C,
project converted local business community.” contaminants, attach- we are able to create
the one-time Art and ment of interior and a workspace mirroring
Wood Shop areas of exterior catch basins, that of a professional
the former Luxemburg-Casco Middle School and upgraded electrical outlets to support safe diesel mechanic,” says
into the diesel center. The district’s middle operations. Mike Snowberry, the
school moved to the main L-C campus at the Ahnapee Diesel is a consortium of area district’s director of
start of the 2020–21 academic year. Among high schools: Luxemburg-Casco, Denmark, learning services who
is guiding the program’s creation. “Our stu- diploma, students must complete 26 credits
dents will have quality instruction and fully in courses such as Transportation Service
equipped, professional-quality toolboxes, Operations, Auto Service Operations, Brake
along with the new facilities. Almost all of Systems, Steering & Suspension Systems,
the students in the diesel program have been Intro to Electrical Systems, Engine Repair,
placed in the Ahnapee Youth Apprentice- Engine Performance, Advanced Chassis
ship program with our partner businesses. Systems and Transportation Welding.
We believe that the L-C diesel program will “We couldn’t have done this without
be a win-win for our students and the local the help of the many great partners who
business community.” stepped forward,” says Mike Snowberry, the
district’s director of learning services who
The Ahnapee Automotive is spearheading the program. “One of the
things that I tell people is, if you invest in us
Program we’re going to invest back in you. One of my
The Luxemburg-Casco School District passions is that I’m going to try to find you
also hosts another educational initiative — the best people I can in our school system
the Ahnapee Automotive program. that love turning wrenches. What gets me
Students are provided with the opportu- excited every day is helping students to find
nity to earn college credits while also receiving their purpose.”
credit towards high school graduation.
Through successful completion of the
Automotive Maintenance Technician (AMT) www.luxcasco.k12.wi.us