Butler Tech details new aviation center, move-in set for Jan. 20; ribbon cutting March 16
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Summary
Butler Tech officials told the Butler County commissioners the new Aviation Center will consolidate academics and aviation training under one roof, grow enrollment from about 80 this year toward 150–200 over time, and has a tentative move-in date of Jan. 20 and ribbon-cutting on March 16.
Butler Tech officials gave the Butler County Board of Commissioners a progress report on the new Butler Tech Aviation Center, saying the facility will move academic and aviation instruction into a single building and expand student capacity significantly.
"Our aviation program started in 2019," said Adam Snotty, principal of the Butler Tech Aviation Center. "Historically the program was typically about 25 eleventh graders and 25 twelfth graders each year. This year we're up to 80…and we anticipate over the next couple of years doubling yet again to somewhere between 150 and 200 students." Snotty said the district is shifting the program from a two-year model to a three-year model beginning in tenth grade to provide broader career exposure.
Snotty told commissioners the district expects a tentative move-in date of Jan. 20; the ribbon-cutting is scheduled for March 16. He said consolidating courses will let students spend the full school day in one location rather than shuttling between sites and will expand options such as airframe and powerplant training, private pilot ground school and drone certification.
Superintendent Dr. William Sprankles placed the project in the district’s broader workforce-development strategy, noting partnerships with Miami University and other local employers. Snotty said the construction partner, Skanska, reported more than $500,000 in local construction spending into Middletown and the surrounding part of Butler County during the build.
Snotty discussed outreach with the Federal Aviation Administration and Dayton International Airport for future training events and said the program is exploring connections to maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in Wilmington and other regional employers to provide student apprenticeships and placement opportunities.
The district invited commissioners to tours while the building is completed and after move-in. Snotty said officials are also exploring postsecondary options for aviation graduates and adult training tied to the center.
The presentation concluded with an offer for commissioners to arrange a site visit; no formal action on the project was taken during the meeting.