Mr. Sini presented the FY26 budget for the Galesburg Area Vocational Center (GAVC), reporting a projected enrollment increase and program expansions that the center says will support a positive fund balance for the year.

The presentation said projected enrollment for FY26 is 446 students, up from 424 last year (about a 5% increase). Area students are projected at 192 (up from 120 last year). The presenter said Perkins and CTEI allocations were not yet finalized and the FY26 budget conservatively reflects last year’s grant figures pending allocations from the region.

Financials and outcomes: the GAVC budget shows projected revenue of approximately $1,243,000 and projected expenses just over $997,000, producing a projected fund balance increase to roughly $246,000 by the end of FY26. The presenter described the roll of SkillsUSA programming (previously grant-funded) now rolled into the center’s base budget to maintain student opportunities.

Programs and capacity: new or expanded programs for the year include a second year of building trades and a new medical assisting program with dual-credit through the community college. The presenter said internships and work-based learning have expanded — automotive internships with three area shops will start soon — and that one student completed a registered apprenticeship through Pegasus and is now employed there, with three more students set up to participate next year. The presenter estimated the center could add roughly 40 to 50 students across programs before reaching capacity in current spaces and said most students served are juniors and seniors.

The board asked follow-up questions about capacity, job-placement outcomes, and how many students take summer work; the presenter provided program details and pass-rate data for health occupations (46 of 47 students passed the CNA exam on first attempt, per the presenter). The board then moved and approved the GAVC FY26 budget by motion.

Ending: the presenter said the center will continue recruiting and strengthening college-and-career pathway endorsements and work-based learning to align students to local employer needs.