Monroe County board rejects plan to open trade school within a year, directs staff to study costs and logistics

A motion to establish a county-run trade or vocational school in the Niles Ferry Industrial Park and have it in place by next school year failed after extended debate, and the Monroe County Board of Education instead voted to ask staff to study the idea and return with a cost and feasibility report by the October meeting.

Board member Dean Williams proposed creating a trade school in a 60,000-square-foot building at the Niles Ferry Industrial Park, saying local industry leaders had expressed willingness to support programs such as welding, HVAC and electrical work. Williams said a lease would cost about $45,000 per month and that a new building could cost $8 million to $12 million; he urged action so students could access local industrial jobs.

The motion to open the trade school “by this time next year” drew lengthy discussion about costs, student interest, available staff and state graduation requirements that can limit how much time students may spend off-site for career-technical instruction. Director of Schools Dr. Windsor cautioned that creating a sustainable program requires inventories of student interest, available equipment and staffing, and that starting a program for only a handful of students risks long-term viability. “If the interest is not there, that’s often why it’s not offered. We don’t have the people to teach the class,” Dr. Windsor said.

Board members also raised questions about transportation logistics and whether shifting existing CTE staff and equipment into a single leased facility would be practical. One board member warned that committing to a lease without confirmed enrollment or written commitments from industry donors could leave the district paying for an underused building.

On a roll-call vote the motion to establish the trade school in one year failed. After that vote, board member Mitch Avery moved — and Sharon Freeman seconded — that the director of schools and her staff prepare a detailed report for the board’s October meeting that would evaluate infrastructure needs, costs to move or duplicate existing CTE equipment, potential lease terms, transportation implications and any commitments from industry partners. That motion passed on roll call.

The board did not set a construction timeline or fund the project; the approved directive is for staff to return with analysis and recommended next steps.

The failed motion and the approved study measure reflect a split on whether to proceed rapidly by leasing space or to take time to determine financial and operational feasibility. The board set a firm deadline for staff information but did not authorize leasing or spending as part of the October request.

Notes: the proposal cited a 60,000-square-foot industrial building and a $45,000-per-month lease as starting figures; board discussion referenced possible $8 million–$12 million new-build costs. Director of Schools said such proposals require inventories of student interest, equipment and staffing before committing district resources.