CTE teachers warn budget cuts threaten programs even as district highlights new advanced manufacturing lab

Poudre School District trustees heard two contrasting accounts of career and technical education on Sept. 23: Superintendent Brian Kingsley highlighted a newly opened advanced manufacturing lab and regional partnerships, while a Rocky Mountain High School CTE teacher warned recent budget cuts are imperiling shop-based programs.

Superintendent Brian Kingsley opened his superintendent—s remarks by noting the district—s ribbon-cutting at the Career Tech Center and praising the new advanced manufacturing lab, calling it a —game changer— that —blurs the lines between industry, the workforce, and our classrooms.— He credited regional collaboration and named the Bohemian Foundation and Larimer County as contributors; he said financial investments also benefit students in neighboring Thompson School District.

—This space will not only equip students, but also is an opportunity for businesses to continue to play a key role in partnering to offer industry-specific work-facing opportunities,— Kingsley said.

Later in the meeting, Elisa Dubinsky, a career and technical education teacher at Rocky Mountain High School who teaches metals, machining and related courses, described steep resource shortfalls. Dubinsky said removal of Code 29 budget allocations left CTE classrooms with $10,000 to $15,000 less than prior years and that consumable-material costs for shops (lumber, steel, welding supplies) have risen.

—We're expected to do more for more students with significantly less,— Dubinsky said. She told the board the district—s elimination of student fees was intended to increase access, but promised replacement funding has not appeared. —If fees are not returning, restore the $15,000 in lost funding. Otherwise, we risk losing more experienced, highly qualified teachers, and more importantly, we risk failing our students,— she said.

Dubinsky described additional strains: teachers handle shop-equipment maintenance without dedicated technician support and are asked to pursue grants and fundraising to keep programs running. She told trustees that Rocky Mountain—s CTE program offers nine college credits in Front Range welding and industry certifications, and argued the district should fund programs aligned to its strategic priority that students —graduate with options.—

Trustees and staff acknowledged both messages. Board members who spoke praised the new lab and community partnerships, and several noted the value of maintaining sustainable funding for hands-on CTE instruction. No formal vote on CTE funding was taken at the meeting; Dubinsky—s remarks were made during the public comment period.

The district plans further conversations in coming months on instructional minutes, bell times and calendar matters that administrators said could affect program scheduling and funding.