School board approves $650,378 Perkins CTE plan focused on equipment and capital outlay

The Chesapeake School Board voted to approve the district’s Carl Perkins local plan and local budget for the 2025–26 school year, authorizing $650,378.26 in Perkins funding to support career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Doctor Anna Helmer (program administrator, Career and College/Career Readiness) presented the plan, noting the grant supports expanded access to high-quality CTE, work-based learning, industry credentials and specialized academies. The district’s Perkins allocation is level-funded from the prior year and the 2526 budget was summarized on schedule 18, page 66 of the Perkins plan (per the presentation).

Budget highlights provided by Doctor Helmer: - Total Perkins allocation: $650,378.26 (level funding from the current allocation). - Largest allocation—capital outlay and equipment—accounts for just under $430,000 to purchase industry-relevant equipment and software for secondary classrooms, support work-based learning events, and summer academy enrichment camps. - Purchase services (about $101,770.00) will fund affiliation fees for Project Lead The Way programs, the virtual classroom network (industry software access), and support student participation in CTE student organization competitive events (DECA, FBLA, HOSA, TSA, SkillsUSA, FCCLA).

Doctor Helmer also described program expansions this year, including a culinary cooperative experience, GoTech lab at Oscar Smith Middle School, a new criminal justice course at the Chesapeake Career Center, partnerships with EVMS for Health Sciences Academy cohorts, and plans for summer camps and a potential new high school academy in fall 2026.

The board approved the Perkins plan by voice vote. Doctor Helmer said the plan will be submitted to the state by the April 30 deadline.