Western Montgomery CTC proposes capital reserve and program expansions; Pottsgrove students concentrated on cosmetology, welding and carpentry waitlists

Representatives from the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center updated the Pottsgrove board on two substantive items: a proposal to establish a capital reserve fund and a draft plan to expand instructional capacity in high-demand programs.

Administrative director David Livingood told the joint operating committee (JOC) that the Western Center sought to create a capital reserve funded after an existing bond payment ends Nov. 15, 2028. His proposal would direct the three sending districts to continue contributing approximately the same amounts as the expiring bond payments into a capital reserve rather than ceasing the payments. Livingood said the proposal would require changing the Western Center’s articles of agreement and eventual approval by a majority of the 27-member board (14 votes) and a required majority vote in Spring-Ford, per the articles of agreement. The JOC planned meetings with superintendents and business managers and anticipates broader discussion with the full 27-member board later this year, with a potential vote in early 2026.

On enrollment and program capacity, Livingood presented application and acceptance figures for the 2025–26 school year: 286 total applicants to the Western Center and 220 accepted (76.9%). Among sending districts, Pottsgrove submitted 97 applications and accepted 66 (68% acceptance), Spring-Ford accepted 80 of 96 (83.3%), and Upper Perkiomen accepted 74 of 93 (79.8%). Pottsgrove had the largest number of applicants and the lowest acceptance rate.

Livingood identified cosmetology, welding and carpentry as the top programs producing wait lists for Pottsgrove students (cosmetology accounted for 40–42% of Pottsgrove non-acceptances and 51 of the total cosmetology applicants). As an initial draft response, he proposed adding instructors and capacity: one cosmetology instructor (+10 seats), one carpentry instructor (+20), one electrical instructor (+20), one welding instructor (+20), a full-time aid for cosmetology and increased supplies and ventilation for welding. Livingood estimated those additions could cost about $2.5 million and increase the Western Center budget by roughly 27.25% for salaries, equipment and facilities; the JOC asked for a more detailed, phased 2–5 year cost distribution.

Board members asked clarifying questions about space and scheduling; JOC members said some noninstructional spaces might be convertible and that scheduling changes could increase capacity. No final votes on the proposal were taken at the Pottsgrove meeting; the JOC requested a more granular plan and cost timeline.