Washtenaw ISD presentation outlines countywide plan to expand career and technical education; seeks funding

Dr. Ryan Rowe, a Washtenaw ISD presenter, told the Saline Area Schools Board of Education on Feb. 11 that the county is pursuing a countywide strategy to expand career and technical education (CTE) and reduce what he described as “CTE deserts” where students lack access to programs.

Rowe said the ISD is implementing new staff roles and three pilot countywide pathways — aviation/aerospace (including an FAA Part 107 drone certification), engineering/construction trades, and a business/leadership capstone tied to internships — funded initially by a state consolidation and implementation grant. He said the work aims to increase credential attainment, reduce waitlists and connect students directly to local employers.

Rowe gave financial context: Washtenaw County currently pools about $1.4 million for CTE (roughly $585,000 in federal Perkins funds and about $800,000 in “add‑on” funds) to support 71 programs. He contrasted that with a neighboring county example and explained how a 1‑mill vocational millage in Washtenaw could generate roughly $20 million annually. He also described three recent rounds of state CTE equipment grants the county received — about $535,000 in 2021–22, $576,000 the following year and about $1,153,000 the most recent year — totaling roughly $2 million over three years.

“We have 47 students on a wait list for health science. We need RNs,” Rowe told the board, citing specific local demand for nursing and other health‑care roles. He described partnerships with local employers and postsecondary institutions — including Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan partners, Liebherr Aerospace, Toyota Research and Development, Washtenaw Community College and Michigan Works Southeast — as central to program design and credential pathways.

Rowe said the county used research from the University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab to measure access gaps and applied that evidence to win a $5 million state implementation grant to build capacity: a CTE coordinator, a countywide work‑based learning coordinator, a special populations coordinator, a data specialist and a grant management coordinator. He said the funding will be used in part to create neutral or regional sites so students from all nine districts can attend regardless of where they live.

Board members asked about credential exam costs and private scholarships; Rowe said local industry, foundations and postsecondary partners will be part of a mixed funding model and that scholarships and employer contributions will be pursued alongside any millage.

The ISD plans a March 18 community summit at Washtenaw Community College to present program details and a broader public engagement campaign, including a county logo and marketing materials, Rowe said. He told the board the superintendents will return to their districts with updates and that November 2025 could be a decision point on a funding measure.

If the board wants more detail on program design or costs for specific certifications, Rowe said he would return with that information to future meetings.