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Board approves design work for TAHS welding lab upgrade; state grant and donor support cited
Summary
The board authorized CHA Inc. to prepare design documents and provide construction administration for a welding lab renovation at Tunkhannock Area High School, citing a $200,000 state grant and potential equipment donations to support the project.
The Tunkhannock Area School District board authorized CHA Inc. to proceed with design document preparation and construction administration for a renovation of the welding lab and its exhaust system at Tunkhannock Area High School.
Nut graf: Administrators said the upgrade will support a state‑approved welding career and technical education (CTE) program, allow students to earn a welding certificate before graduation and open eligibility for Perkins grant funding to help offset ongoing costs.
Superintendent Doherty and other staff reported the district has received a $200,000 state grant toward the project and that community partner BKB has offered to purchase some equipment to reduce district costs. Administrators said about 10% of the high school student population currently takes welding courses and that state certification would eliminate the need for students to travel to comparable programs at neighboring districts for that career pathway.
Board members asked whether the new program would eliminate sending students to Elk Lake for welding; staff said if the district obtains state certification and the graduation pathway, students would no longer need to go to Elk Lake for welding instruction. The board approved the design authorization by roll call.
Ending: Officials described the project as an investment in student career pathways; staff and partners will continue grant‑seeking and present construction documents and cost estimates for future board review.
