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Arlington board approves $149,132 purchase of multi‑process welders for AHS program
Summary
The Arlington Community Schools board approved purchasing 12 multi‑process welding machines funded by an Innovative Schools Model grant to modernize the Arlington High School welding lab and align equipment with industry standards.
The Arlington Community Schools Board approved the purchase of a multi‑process welding package for $149,132.64 to update equipment at Arlington High School and match current industry standards.
The move, presented by Superintendent Dr. Clark, drew a motion to approve during the board's meeting and passed after a voice vote. Dr. Clark said the machines will operate multiple welding procedures on a single unit and replace older, specialized machines that required students to learn on several pieces of equipment.
The purchase is funded through an Innovative Schools Model grant. "With the funding from the Innovative Schools Model grant we are able to purchase 12 of these new multi‑process welders for students to use at Arlington High School," Dr. Clark said. She also described that the project builds on previously approved clean‑air ventilation stations for the welding space.
Todd Go Forth, who spoke about program alignment, said the new machines bring the high school lab closer to the equipment students will encounter in workforce and postsecondary programs. "The equipment we had was outdated, and this new equipment is updated to match the top‑of‑the‑line industry standards that our tech colleges and different businesses have," he said.
Board members moved and seconded the purchase and approved it by voice vote; the minutes record that the "ayes have it." The agenda item stated the purchase vendor as Granger and the total amount requested was $149,132.64.
The board and staff framed the purchase as part of a broader effort to strengthen career and technical education and to make transitions to work or further training more seamless for students who choose those pathways. No change to certification requirements was announced; staff said certifications remain the same but students will train on more current equipment.
Board members and administrators said the district expects the upgraded equipment to improve safety, efficiency and the career readiness of students enrolled in the welding program. Implementation details such as delivery and installation timelines were not specified at the meeting.
