House committee hears bill to expand middle-school CTE grants statewide

Representative Eric Tillman, R-Great Falls, opened the hearing on House Bill 357 on Feb. 12, saying the bill would provide targeted grants to bolster junior high CTE programs statewide. "Right now, there's little to no funding for junior high programs," Tillman said. "In Perkins V, we were able to do a little carve out for small schools...that gives $5,000 for junior high programs to promote CTE."

The bill would expand a current Perkins-funded rural reserve program that Tillman said now distributes about $60,000 a year and makes one-time grants — typically up to $5,000 — to eligible small districts. Tillman told the committee the proposal's aim is to allow all Montana school districts to apply and to raise the program appropriation so more middle-school CTE programs can purchase capital equipment such as CNC machines, VR welding trainers, and other lab kits. He said the grants are intended for capital purchases rather than consumables.

Proponents from agriculture, labor and business groups said the bill would help rural schools restore or start shop, agriculture, family and consumer science and other hands-on classes that often are cut first from local budgets. "When we initially came up with this idea about four years ago, we thought we would get new innovative agricultural type educational projects coming in," said Erik Sommerfeld of the Montana Farmers Union. "What we've unfortunately found over these four years is schools are just fighting to supply the very basic needs of these...welding wire, family and consumer science supplies."

Other supporters included the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Contractors Association, the Montana Stock Growers Association, the Coalition of Advocates for Montana's Public Schools, and representatives of building trades and operating engineers. Sheridan Hoyer of the Montana Chamber said early CTE exposure "improves their education with hands on learning opportunities." Al Ekblad of Operating Engineers Local 400 urged a larger appropriation, asking lawmakers to "double the amount" because "a hundred thousand dollars isn't gonna go very far to buy expensive equipment."

Office of Public Instruction (OPI) staff answered committee questions about how federal Perkins allocations currently flow to districts and about the state’s existing rural reserve grant process. OPI materials in the hearing packet show roughly a dozen middle schools now receive the rural reserve funding under the current $60,000 program. Tillman said his draft contemplates one-time grants of up to $5,000 per applicant and that he would accept amendments to raise the fiscal note. He estimated there are roughly 70 middle-school CTE programs across the state and said the bill's goal is to give those programs a capital-equipment boost.

No opponents appeared at the hearing and committee members asked several technical questions about funding sources, Perkins rules and how the OPI would administer grants. Tillman closed by urging the committee to give the bill a due pass and said an amendment to increase the appropriation was expected. The hearing ended without a formal committee vote on HB 357.