Upper Dauphin Area superintendent talks about student-built housing development

A rural community in Dauphin County is giving students an opportunity they'll be able to use for life. Upper Dauphin Area High School's 'Building Trades Program' has been around since the early 60s, but the district is taking it to the next level this year.

Jasmine Brooks sat down for a one-on-one interview with the superintendent, Jared Shade.

"We find it our responsibility to host those problems here locally. So should I say we're a leader here locally? Yeah, I would say that," says Shade.

"I mean a million-dollar property with 29-homes?" asked Jasmine Brooks.

Shade: "It's definitely innovative. In 2024 public schools need to be thinking about how we educate our students a little differently as well."

Shade was born and raised in Gratz and is a graduate of Upper Dauphin High School. He's an employee here for a decade and now the superintendent of a district he's known all his life.

Shade: "We purchased 67-acres behind us. It's right directly across the street from our high school."

The future site of a housing development that students will help build is through "Building Trades Program".

Shade: "It's not just Upper Dauphin students; Halifax, Millersburg, Tri-Valley, Line Mountain if they're interested."

Watch the full story on CBS 21 News at 6 on Monday, September 23.