Santa Fe ISD reports sharp CTE enrollment growth, welding-lab expansion after grants; board discusses bond and staffing

Christy Click, Santa Fe ISD coordinator of Career and Technical Education, told the board Dec. 16 that CTE enrollment and certifications have grown and that recent grants are funding a welding-lab expansion.

Click said Santa Fe ISD offers 14 distinct CTE programs of study and that "every single one of them" has at least one career certification available. She reported that more than 90% of junior-high and high-school students are enrolled in a CTE course, and that CTE-linked funding measured by the district had increased "by about 27 points this school year." Click said that increase corresponds to higher weighted funding because upper-level (level 3 and 4) practicum courses bring in more funding per student.

The presentation included program scale: the high school offers 66 CTE courses, including 15 upper-level practicum and work-based learning courses; the junior high has six CTE courses (five full-time teachers and one part-time). Click said the district offers 20 industry-based certifications and that the district awarded "over 325 certifications" last year (some students earned multiple certifications).

Click described recent grants and equipment purchases. An American Welding Society grant funded construction of an awning behind the welding lab, replacement of electrical outlets to accommodate new machines and the purchase of seven Miller welding machines. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded $17,200 to finish the welding expansion by funding eight welding booths to be installed under the new awning. Click asked for a photo with the certificate to acknowledge the grant.

Click outlined practicum and partnership activity: vet-tech students placed at Fix Your Pet in town; a student-run school store operated by the entrepreneurship program; a career fair that hosted more than 70 participants; and student organization (CTSO) activity including FFA, HOSA, DECA, FCCLA, SkillsUSA, TAFE and an NTHS induction of 25 students. She said FFA students had earned more than $300,000 across the last two years in auction proceeds and about $30,000 collectively in various shows.

Trustees and staff pressed on constraints and next steps. Click and other administrators said physical space limits are a core constraint: the high school has only two shops, and some programs (welding and ag mechanics) must share a single shop. Click and trustees said a bond would be necessary to build larger, dedicated shop space for programs such as electricians or plumbing. They also cited teacher recruitment and certification requirements for CTE instructors as a limiting factor.

Administrators said grants help but do not fully cover the cost of program growth. One staff member noted that while increased CTE enrollment raises weighted funding, that funding has not historically covered the full increase in program operating costs and investments needed to make CTE programs self-sustaining. Trustees suggested continuing to pursue grants and bond funding to expand facilities.

No formal action or vote was taken on CTE expansion during the meeting; the item was presented as an information item and followed by questions from trustees.

Clarifying details: CenterPoint Energy Foundation grant amount $17,200; seven new Miller welding machines purchased with an American Welding Society grant; district reported "over 325" certifications awarded last year; district offers 14 programs of study; more than 90% of junior-high and high-school students enrolled in at least one CTE course; 66 CTE courses at the high school with 15 upper-level practicum/work-based courses.

The presentation concluded with trustees congratulating Click and thanking staff and community partners for support of work-based learning and the welding expansion.