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Kings County Office of Education seeks to use Golden State Pathways grant for juvenile CTE and garden
Summary
The Kings County Office of Education presented a plan to use a Golden State Pathways grant to build career technical education in agriculture and a garden at the JC Montgomery juvenile facility, with probation and public works as partners.
The Kings County Office of Education told supervisors it plans to use a recently awarded Golden State Pathways grant from the California Department of Education to create career technical education opportunities in environmental agriculture and work‑based learning at JC Montgomery School, the county’s juvenile facility school.
Presenters Elizabeth Norris and Lisa Rodriguez described the school’s mission, accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and existing programs including digital communications CTE and dual‑enrollment connections. They said students — many of whom are behind on credits — asked for hands‑on learning and vocational training, which drove the grant application.
The proposal centers on converting an open area adjacent to the facility into secure raised beds, a small greenhouse, and outdoor learning space where students can grow vegetables, learn climate‑resilient practices and gain entrepreneurship and budgeting experience tied to CTE standards. School staff said they intend to work with probation and public works to follow county permitting and procurement processes, and probation is preparing a fencing and shed proposal to be sent out for bids.
Why it matters: Organizers said vocational training and work‑based learning can provide students detained at the juvenile facility with job skills and transitional supports that may help them reintegrate to local high schools and the community.
Presenters said the project will be flexible and adapt to constraints such as drainage or security; they showed student renderings and described existing raised beds and a temporary greenhouse used for plant propagation. The school noted the need to secure tools and implement fencing to prevent unrestricted public access.
Board members and community commenters suggested partnering with local master gardeners, agricultural experts and college programs. County Superintendent Todd Barlow and other board members voiced support, and staff described the item as information only; no action was required.
Ending: School and probation staff said they will continue planning with county departments and partners, follow procurement and permitting requirements, and return to the board as needed for further approvals.
