Bay District Schools Grant
Bay District Schools has been awarded a $1,520,177 grant to enhance workforce development through the expansion of its career and technical education (CTE) programs. The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant program was announced by Mark McQueen, Bay County school superintendent, at Rutherford High School for Bay District Schools Grant.
The funding will help the district create new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and training in high-wage, high-demand fields such as agro-technology, allied health assisting, building trades and design technology, criminal justice, and piloting drones, according to a school district press release.
“These programs are vital in preparing students for graduation and real world success in competitive job markets across various industries,” the superintendent said. “We are committed to ensuring that every student graduates with a diploma and the certifications and skills needed to thrive in their chosen professions. Expanding our award winning career and technical education programs, and adding new ones that align with industry demands, give (Bay County) students the tools they need to succeed.”
Allocations
Jonathan Moore, Bay County’s supervisor for Career and Technical Education Programs, said the funds will be allocated to five high schools:
Dean Bozeman High – (1) Piloting drones with a focus on their use in agriculture; and (2) setting up a 911 operations call center simulation lab.
Rosenwald High – Establish a building trades and construction program.
Rutherford High – Expand the agriculture program.
J.R. Arnold High – (1) Expand health science program; and (2) expand building trades and construction program.
Bay High – Expand health science program
Todd Mitchell, Rutherford High’s principal, said last year they began to require every incoming freshman to choose an exploratory CTE option. The school currently offers tracks in agro science, construction, culinary, JROTC, digital design and computer science, and health science, Mitchell said.
“The objective for us is to expose students to these fields and allow them to envision themselves pursuing the requirements for industry certification, pursuing the requirements for collegiate studies in those fields through our International Baccalaureate and Career program,” the principal said.
Source:
For more information about this program, contact the Bay District Schools Office of Communications at (850) 767-4100 or email BDSComm@bay.k12.fl.us.
https://www.newsherald.com/story/news/education/2024/10/29/big-money-grant-focuses-on-high-school-diploma-immediate-workforce-development/75907425007/