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State board approves FY26 budget and salary adjustments for CareerTech
Summary
The board approved the FY26 budget, reflecting a small increase in the general appropriation, carryover of some one-time funds, federal grant budgets and planned internal salary adjustments to improve retention.
The Oklahoma CareerTech State Board voted unanimously to approve the agency’s FY26 budget, which reflects a modest increase in the general appropriation, carryover of some one-time funds and federal grant budgets for apprenticeship expansion and workforce training.
What was approved: Lisa Batchelder, agency chief financial officer, presented the FY26 executive summary and budget figures. She told the board the agency received a 7.1% increase in the general appropriation and an additional permanent base appropriation of $9,500,000 targeted for technology-center program funding and industry skills support. The agency did not receive the prior-year one‑time $28.59 million in base funding; staff are carrying forward limited balances for specific, continuing projects.
Federal funding and grants: The budget includes projected federal awards and ARPA-funded programs (nursing, truck driver training and broadband), an anticipated apprenticeship expansion award from the U.S. Department of Labor, and several WIOA and TANF-funded contracts for career training. Batchelder described planned pass-throughs to technology centers and comprehensive schools; technology centers account for the largest share of pass-through dollars in the budget.
Salary and staffing: Batchelder said the agency plans internal salary adjustments (within existing pay bands) to improve market competitiveness and retention; she said the board does not need to approve band changes but should be aware of the adjustments planned. The board recognized finance staff who prepared the budget.
Board action and vote: After a motion and second, the board voted to approve the FY26 budget as presented. Recorded votes were Yes from Michael Brown, Peter Dillingham, Randy Gilbert, Jalen Hanning and Leonard McCullough.
Next steps: Agency staff will begin implementing the budget and the planned staffing adjustments and will return with required reports and allocations tied to federal grants and lottery appropriations.
