School board approves 2025-26 Perkins CTE grant application

The Henry County School Board on an evening meeting approved submission of the division's 2025-26 Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant application, which proposes $199,650 in federal Perkins funding to purchase technology, equipment, software subscriptions and student supports.

Superintendent Blake Lewis presented an overview of the Perkins plan, saying the grant supports CTE instruction, strengthens links to postsecondary programs and funds professional development, equipment and supports for special-population students. Lewis said last year's allocation was $172,694.93 and the application requests $199,650 to address rising equipment and program costs.

The proposal presented a budget breakdown: $100,000 requested for technology (three sets of desktop computers for high school labs), $15,000 for equipment (including HVAC updates, agriscience animal simulators and woodworking materials), $22,000 to support special-population student participation in state and national competitions, $16,000 for staff travel and conference attendance, and $35,650 for software subscriptions (including AAT for FFA, ICEB, Nucleus for middle school robotics, Unity for advanced game design and Multiverse for video/ECTE competency tracking). The superintendent also said portions of the grant would fund translators/interpreters and compliance work. Lewis noted the district plans to launch an EMT program in 2025–26 and anticipates adding an Auto Tech program in 2026–27; other programs (pharmacy tech, dental assistant, graphic design, sports medicine, hospitality) were identified as five-year goals based on industry conversations.

Board members moved and seconded the motion to approve the Perkins grant plan for submission. The board approved the submission by voice/hand vote. The superintendent said the state will release the final award in July 2025 and that all items in the application would be 100% grant-funded if awarded.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve the agenda: moved and seconded; approved by unanimous voice/hand vote (exact numeric count not specified in the record). - Consent agenda: motion made and seconded; approved by unanimous voice/hand vote (exact numeric count not specified). - Motion to approve submission of the 2025–26 Perkins Grant plan (requesting $199,650): moved by "Ms. Villager" and seconded (record notes "Mister Auger" on second); approved by voice/hand vote (exact numeric count not specified). - Motion to go into closed session under Virginia Code sections cited (personnel, placement, and legal consultation): moved, seconded and approved by voice/hand vote (exact numeric count not specified).

What the board approved and what it did not

The board approved the district's Perkins grant plan for submission to the state. The approval authorizes submission of the application and the proposed budget items; it does not by itself guarantee award amounts or obligate local matching funds. The superintendent said the state allocation will be released in July 2025.

Context and next steps

Perkins funds are federal dollars administered through the Virginia Department of Education that local divisions use to support CTE instruction, equipment and professional development. If the state award equals or approaches the requested amount, the division intends to purchase technology and subscriptions listed in the presentation and to fund student travel, translator services and compliance activities described in the application. The superintendent and staff will return with implementation details and any necessary procurement steps after the state's award notice in July 2025.

Board members asked no substantive follow-up questions recorded in the transcript about particular line items during the public presentation. The board scheduled no additional formal action at the meeting specifically tied to Perkins beyond approving submission of the application.