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Board briefed on two CTE grants: $222,570 equipment upgrade and workforce capitalization funds
Summary
Career and technical education staff told the board the district will use a $222,570 EUM grant to buy diesel trainers for two technical colleges and outlined a workforce capitalization allocation that will support Lake Wales Charter School programs.
Polk County School Board work‑session attendees received details on two grants for Career and Technical Education.
Leanne Bennett, who presented the items, said the Equipment Upgrade and Modernization (EUM) grant totals $222,570 and will fund diesel console link engine trainers for both Travis and Ridge technical colleges at $111,000 each. Bennett said the district will purchase the trainers to upgrade post‑secondary diesel programs.
Bennett also briefed the board on a workforce development capitalization incentive grant (referred to in materials as the “cap grant”). She stated an allocation figure and told the board that $587,000 of the allocation will support Lake Wales Charter School’s CTE programs, including animal science and agri‑technology. Bennett said the funds will be used for capitalization supplies and non‑capital equipment purchases and that technical college advisory councils and local industry partners had provided input on the needs.
Board members asked whether purchases align with current industry standards; Bennett replied that the district had reached out to business partners and advisory councils and that the technical colleges hold advisory meetings twice a year.
Why it matters: The purchases are intended to keep CTE programs current with industry practices and to support career pathways that local employers seek. Board members praised the industry partnerships and the expected hands‑on student opportunities.
Next steps: Bennett closed the presentation after questions; board members did not take a vote during the workshop. Staff previously provided the board with supporting documentation and community partner lists as part of the grant materials.
