Board approves $167,000 Perkins grant application to support CTE programs

The Franklin County School Board approved the division’s 2025 Perkins grant application at its April 7 meeting. District staff said the award increased by about $20,000 from the prior year and the proposed budget is roughly $167,000.

Mr. Baumgartner, who presented the application, described Perkins as the federal program that strengthens career and technical education (CTE). He said the grant will primarily fund equipment and software replacements across multiple programs (an estimated $98,906 proposed for equipment), professional development for CTE teachers (approximately $28,000), expanded support for industry certification testing, and student participation costs for career-technical student organizations. The proposal also designates funds to recruit and support students in nontraditional programs and to cover required administrative and follow-up survey costs.

Board members noted local CTE successes and competitive awards, and discussed desired new programs such as cosmetology, EMT and firefighting; staff said EMT is more likely given age and equipment considerations. After presentation, a motion to approve the Perkins application carried on a voice vote. District staff said the grant will be used for equipment, teacher training, industry certification testing and support for special-population students within CTE programs.