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Board approves design work for high school welding lab upgrade; state grant awarded
Summary
The board authorized CHA Inc. to prepare design and construction administration documents for upgrades to the Tompkins Area High School welding lab and exhaust system, and staff said the district has one state grant of $200,000 and private equipment support pledged.
The board authorized CHA Inc. to proceed with design document preparation and construction administration for a renovation of the high school welding lab and exhaust system. During discussion, staff said the district has received a $200,000 state grant toward the project and that a partner firm (BKV) has offered to purchase some equipment to offset costs.
Superintendent Doherty described the upgrade as an opportunity to create a state‑approved program that would allow students to earn a welding certificate before graduation and enable the district to pursue additional Perkins career‑and‑technical education funding. The board voted by roll call to authorize CHA Inc. for design and construction administration services.
Why it matters: District staff said more than 10 percent of high school students now take welding courses. Upgrading the lab would both expand local vocational opportunities and could reduce student travel to neighboring districts for equivalent programs once the district attains state approval.
Details and next steps: The project will proceed through design; the district and grant‑seeking consultants will pursue additional grant funding and private equipment donations. If the program becomes state‑approved, staff said it would remove the need for some students to attend Elk Lake or equivalent external programs.
