Richmond Public Schools’ traditional technical programs are on the verge of extinction due to low enrollment.

The school district’s horticulture, small engine repair and brick mason programs at the Richmond Technical Center are close to closing.

The situation was brought to light Tuesday morning by Harris Wheeler, a former horticulture worker with the City of Richmond and RPS instructor, during The Gary Flowers Show on WREJ-990 AM radio.

RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras was a guest on the show, and Mr. Wheeler said that he learned during a conversation with the Tech Center’s principal, Jonathan Mitchum, that the horticulture program will close at the end of the spring semester. Mr. Wheeler said the closure of trade programs needs to be addressed by RPS officials as well as the public.

Mr. Kamras, who provides regular weekly updates on the radio show, was surprised by Mr. Wheeler’s claim, and used a commercial break to contact the principal himself.

Mr. Kamras’ subsequent response on-air: “Horticulture has not been offered when there are only two of three students selecting the class. RPS cannot afford to have full-time teachers for two or three students. This has been the challenge for the Tech Center.

“At this point, horticulture classes are on hiatus this year due to COVID-19. We do plan to have it back next year,” he assured the listeners. Mr. Kamras later told the Free Press that 20 students are needed to have a full-time teacher in the Tech Center’s day program, and 10 students are required for the evening classes for adults. During the radio program, Mr. Kamras consulted his administrative team and said, according to his knowledge, the brick masonry and small engine repair classes have not been offered for at least three years because of low student enrollment.

“The challenge may also be informing students of the options these hands-on courses would provide,” Mr. Flowers said. “They can then understand what awaits them in terms of future employment.”

Mr. Wheeler also emphasized the need to inform students of employment opportunities after finishing a horticulture program, including professional groundskeeping for sports teams, employment in botanical gardens and municipal and residential landscaping.

“Landscapers working on massive projects across the country are making more than $100,000,” Mr. Flowers told his guests and audience. “Students should have an opportunity to meet professionals — groundskeepers from the Washington Football Team — to tell them about opportunities to make good salaries and the fact that they started in high school.”

He said RPS could be a pipeline for those opportunities once students have a different view of horticulture.

Mr. Kamras agreed that RPS has not done a good job at making those connections. He said he will meet with Mr. Mitchum to discuss options for the RPS’ future direction.

“I am absolutely committed to expanding access at the Tech Center and its programs,” Mr. Kamras said.

He also promised to meet with Mr. Mitchum and Mr. Wheeler before he returns to Mr. Flowers’ radio show next week.

“This is about community,” Mr. Wheeler said. “The community should come together to address and fix this educational problem.”