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CareerTech board approves FY27 appropriations request with larger workforce, expansion and exploration asks
Summary
The CareerTech board approved a FY27 appropriations request that increases workforce training and career exploration funding and raises a one-time expansion incentive; board members discussed staffing, apprenticeships and outreach before approving amended figures.
The Oklahoma CareerTech State Board approved the agency’s FY27 appropriations request after extended discussion about workforce training, school partnerships and career exploration programs.
Director Hagan and agency staff presented a draft request and asked the board to consider a set of increases. After discussion and amendments from board members, the board approved a motion to submit the FY27 request with the following changes: increase the technology-center expansion incentive to $10 million (one-time) and set career exploration funding at $20 million with those dollars allocated as ongoing program support rather than a one-time payment. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote; board members present voted yes.
In presentation and discussion, staff said the request rests on three broad aims: (1) workforce training to expand the number of full‑time CareerTech students toward a 40,000 target, (2) support for K‑12 CareerTech programs (supplemental salary and program support funding) and (3) career exploration and outreach to middle and high school students. Staff described workforce training as the largest line in the request and said a portion of those funds would support apprenticeship work and regional coordinators.
Staff also proposed increasing supplemental salary dollars (the agency's “411” funding) for K‑12 teachers tied to CareerTech programs to ensure participating teachers receive additional compensation for added responsibilities and reporting. The board discussed using reimbursements and performance requirements to ensure funds support documented program activity.
Board members and staff discussed a prior one‑time incentive that provided $250,000 per school site to help new school districts join a tech center and noted that communities that accepted the one‑time incentive saw tax collections (ad valorem) begin to support ongoing program costs. Some members urged more aggressive outreach to “white‑space” areas (unserved counties) and requested a written record of past incentive outcomes for review; staff said they would provide those details.
The board’s approved enrollment and outreach priorities include additional funding to stand up regional apprenticeship coordinators and to staff career‑exploration specialists who would work with K‑12 counselors and industry partners to expand work‑based learning and mentorship opportunities. Staff said they plan to use a mix of grant funding, appropriations and internal reallocations to begin rolling out those positions.
Board action: The board voted to approve the FY27 appropriations request with the amendments described above.
