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Board approves Katz welding lab purchase; Mitchell Community College commits funds and dual-enrollment pathway
Summary
The board unanimously approved spending to equip a new welding lab at Katz Technical Training Center, with district CTE funds, facilities money and a substantial commitment from Mitchell Community College. Administrators said the lab will expand enrollment and create a local pipeline to jobs and certificates.
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education voted 6-0 April 14 to approve equipment purchases and related work to create a new welding laboratory at Katz Technical Training Center.
District CTE leaders told the board the package divides costs among several payors: the CTE equipment share presented at the meeting was $164,277; the facilities department's equipment portion was presented in the packet as $22,221,413; Mitchell Community College has committed more than $750,000 to the broader project, administrators said.
Why it matters: district staff said the welding lab is intended to expand career-and-technical pathways, provide dual-enrollment opportunities with Mitchell Community College and respond to high local demand for welding and related trades. Administrators presented a multi-shift plan to serve students across morning, afternoon and evening offerings.
Details of the approval: CTE director Tim Woody asked the board to approve the CTE equipment portion; Mr. Mark Shankarik and facilities staff described the facilities portion. Board members asked clarifying questions about operating capacity, construction costs and how students will flow into Mitchell's certificate programs.
Projected capacity and timeline: district staff said the program intends to offer up to 30 students per morning session, 30 in the afternoon and 30 in the evening (the stated goal is to maximize throughput and to run summer sessions if feasible). Woody told the board that, with a successful pipeline, job placement could materialize over a 5- to 8-year horizon as cohorts complete credentialing and enter the workforce.
Partnership with Mitchell Community College: administrators said Mitchell committed more than $750,000 to the shared project and that students participating in the Katz lab will have pathways to earn college credit and credentials at Mitchell. The superintendent and college representatives described the arrangement as a "seamless" pipeline from high-school CTE to community-college credentialing.
Construction and cost caveats: board members were told the amounts discussed in the motion covered equipment only; the full construction and electrical scope is not yet finalized and could require additional capital. A facilities board member noted the district was attempting to keep capital contributions under $500,000 for construction-related costs but said unknown electrical work could increase that amount.
Vote and next steps: the board approved the equipment purchase request and the cooperative approach with Mitchell Community College by a 6-0 vote. Staff will return with final contract details, mitigation of any additional construction costs, and an implementation plan showing enrollment targets and credential outcomes for students.
Ending note: board members praised the partnership with Mitchell Community College and called the project a strategic investment in local workforce development. Several board members asked staff to return with a final cost breakdown and an implementation timeline before installation begins.
