Superintendent Dr. Sanchez told the Plainview ISD Board of Trustees that the district is developing a proposal to launch "Plainview Tech College" in partnership with South Plains College to preserve the local South Plains site and expand postsecondary options for Plainview students.

The superintendent said the partnership could make the Plainview location viable for offering laboratory and classroom courses — including nursing and advanced welding — and could eventually support up to eight associate degrees and multiple workforce certifications. "Plainview Tech College, the shortest distance between a high school education and a good life," the superintendent said, describing the plan as a path for students to earn an associate degree with no college debt.

Administrators told trustees the district began discussions after a regional aerospace study identified opportunities in the area and after South Plains College signaled the Plainview site might close due to enrollment declines. The district said it is negotiating an agreement in which Plainview ISD would take the local South Plains location "under the district's umbrella," allow some classes to remain open to the public and reserve certain seats exclusively for Plainview students. Leaders said the arrangement would allow students to use existing labs and equipment while the district expands CTE offerings, including welding and cosmetology.

Officials said the partnership is intended both to preserve South Plains College services in Plainview and to build a local pipeline of welders, machinists and technicians to support aerospace and related industries. The administration said it is working with South Plains leadership and hopes to present a formal agreement to the board by February for consideration.

Next steps include finalizing the legal and operational terms with South Plains College and returning to the board with a detailed agreement that describes which courses would be offered, which labs would be shared and how seats would be allocated between high-school students and the public.