Chandler Unified to buy more than $1 million in semiconductor and robotics equipment for CTE programs

The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board on Oct. 8 approved purchases of automation, robotics and semiconductor instructional equipment totaling roughly $1.00 million from CTED funds to support career and technical education at district high schools.

The purchases include Festo semiconductor and mechatronics equipment and related instructional components intended for Hamilton High School, Arizona College Prep, Perry and Chandler’s other comprehensive high schools with CTE pathways. The board motion was made by board member Mr. Heap and seconded by Mrs. Modston; the item passed by board acclamation.

The equipment package, identified in board documents as Advanced Technologies (Festo) equipment, is intended to provide hands-on experience with sensors, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, mechatronics systems and automation workflows that district leaders said industry partners recommend for preparing students for local workforce opportunities.

"They brought in one of the HR representatives as well to talk to us about careers and things like that that are available at TSMC," Janet Harkoff, coordinator of Emergent Technologies, said during a preceding presentation on her trip to Taiwan. "This is one of the pictures of the gentleman showing us some of the tools that they use in their training center."

Harkoff described visits to semiconductor training centers and international K–12 schools in Taiwan and said she had returned with curricular ideas and information about vendor training and industry certifications. Board members and staff said the vendor quotes bundled equipment, instructor professional development and certification pathways.

District staff told the board the purchase would be paid from CTED funds; the board presentation listed a CTED balance from which the purchase will be drawn. Dr. Edgar and CTE staff said a portion of the purchase price covers instructor professional development and vendor-provided certification (NC3-level certifications) that would allow teachers to certify students locally.

Board discussion noted multiple vendor quotes and asked staff to provide warranty and support details. Dr. Edgar said staff would return with specific warranty periods and additional invoice detail if requested. Harkoff said the instructor certification included in the purchase typically lasts about three years and enables students to earn industry credentials when their instructors are certified.

The board’s action follows district efforts to expand hands-on semiconductor and automation programs started several years ago, including a semiconductor classroom at Hamilton High School and partnerships with higher education and industry.