TEA committee places Coffeyville programs and Washburn paraeducation on consent; approves related fees and Promise Act eligibility

The Technical Education Authority Curriculum Committee voted on March 13 to place on the consent agenda three new Coffeyville Community College workforce programs — a 28-credit plumbing technical certificate A, a technical certificate B in HVAC and a series of power-sports credentials (Cert A, Cert C and an associate of applied science) — and to approve an associate of applied science in paraeducation proposed by Washburn Institute of Technology.

Committee staff presented the Coffeyville proposals and program details including credits, industry support and startup budgets; Coffeyville representatives described local workforce needs and program delivery plans. Coffeyville President Dr. Thornburg said the programs respond to contractor retirements and local demand and said the new building purchased with workforce-development funds will be ready for fall semester 2025. Plumbing instructor Roger Sheevel described his background: “Been in the trade, spend, 39 years at this point,” and said the program will emphasize hands‑on instruction and an apprenticeship-style experience.

The committee also approved associated Excel in CTE fees for the Coffeyville programs and found the Coffeyville plumbing and HVAC programs and Washburn’s paraeducation program eligible for Promise Act funding. Sharman (KBOR staff) summarized fee and Promise Act eligibility data for committee members and noted that the plumbing and HVAC occupations are listed as high demand/high wage by the Kansas Department of Labor.

Why it matters: committee approval and placement on the consent agenda clears these programs for final full‑authority consideration and signals local workforce development support. The programs are intended to expand local pipelines into plumbing, HVAC, construction and education careers and include applied learning components such as internships and employer mentoring.

Key program details and funding cited to the committee

- Coffeyville Community College — Plumbing, Technical Certificate A: 28 credit hours; includes a 90‑clock‑hour apprenticeship course; initial-year estimated startup cost about $256,000; requested Perkins eligibility; letters of local USD and industry support (Bridal D Plumbing and other local contractors) were included in the packet. Coffeyville President Dr. Thornburg told the committee the program aims to be operational for the fall 2025 semester.

- Coffeyville Community College — HVAC, Technical Certificate B: program aligns with current HVAC alignment; includes a 90‑clock‑hour apprenticeship/work‑based learning element; estimated first‑year startup cost $310,016; Perkins eligibility requested; local contractors (EK Heat and Air and Apex Heat and Air) provided letters of support. Robert Cunningham, a local contractor and proposed part‑time instructor, said he has nearly 30 years in the industry.

- Coffeyville Community College — Power Sports: cert A (25 credits), cert C (47 credits) and an AAS (65 credits); Coffeyville described an agreement with Jay Hatfield Chevrolet to provide shop/classroom space at no cash cost (annual in‑kind value cited in the application); estimated startup cost $186,000; Perkins eligibility requested; letters of support and a local dealership partnership were included.

- Washburn Institute of Technology — Associate of Applied Science in Paraeducation: offered only at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC) through partnership with USD 501; students participate in apprenticeship placements each semester inside the district and are paid the district hourly rate while mentored by classroom teachers; KSDE Title I paraprofessional requirements informed program design; estimated startup cost $76,950. Laura Nichols (TCALC associate principal) described the district’s plan to place students in classrooms and pay them the district paras’ hourly rate while they are mentored.

Fee approvals and Promise Act eligibility

The committee approved Excel in CTE fees that Coffeyville proposed for the new programs: plumbing fees totaling $545.76, HVAC fees totaling $1,456.80, and powersports fees totaling $447.74 (each program packet identified specific line items such as OSHA access, toolkits, EPA certification, and textbooks). The committee also concluded Coffeyville’s plumbing and HVAC programs and Washburn’s paraeducation program meet the Promise Act criteria presented by staff (high‑demand/high‑wage occupation classification where applicable).

Committee process and next steps

Each program was placed on the consent agenda for the full Technical Education Authority meeting; the committee’s votes were recorded as voice votes and the items were approved to move forward. The full TEA meets in person on Thursday, March 27 for final action. Committee members and staff noted continuing attention to apprenticeship language and to ensuring written employer commitments for required work‑based learning are included in program records.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve Coffeyville Community College’s request for a Technical Certificate A in plumbing technology and place it on the consent agenda — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Motion to approve Coffeyville Community College’s request for a Technical Certificate B in HVAC and place it on the consent agenda — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Motion to approve Coffeyville Community College’s Technical Certificate A, Technical Certificate C and Associate of Applied Science in Power Sports and place them on the consent agenda — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Motion to approve Washburn Institute of Technology’s request for an Associate of Applied Science in Paraeducation and place it on the consent agenda — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Clarifying details from the meeting record

- Coffeyville’s plumbing proposal cited local industry requests, five letters of industry support in the Perkins CLNA and a letter of non‑opposition from Neosho County Community College.

- The Coffeyville plumbing and HVAC proposals each include a 90‑clock‑hour apprenticeship/work‑based learning course; committee members emphasized that employers need to be identified to host those hours and recommended including explicit employer commitments in program documentation.

- Washburn Tech’s paraeducation program will be delivered in partnership with USD 501/TCALC and uses KSDE Title I paraprofessional academic requirements; the district expects to place students in classrooms for half the school day while paying the district paraprofessional hourly rate and providing teacher mentorship.

Ending: Committee members praised the applicants’ community partnerships and urged applicants to continue fleshing out employer commitments and apprenticeship details before full TEA action. The full TEA will consider the consent agenda at its March 27 meeting.