Robert Harris, director of Career and Technical Education, updated the Board on the district’s middle‑college and Pathways & Technology (P‑TECH) grants and Smart Scholars program. He described program design, industry and college partners, budgets and early enrollment snapshots.

Harris said Smart Scholars (Hutch Tech) is structured as an early college program with a target of up to 24 transferable credit hours and carries an approximate budget of $165,000, mainly for dual‑credit tuition, equipment and ELT staffing. The district manages three P‑TECH grants with distinct college and industry partners: P‑TECH 2 (Alfred State; Montante Solar & Construction Exchange; Blue Sky Design) with an approximate $500,000 budget; P‑TECH 3 (SUNY Erie; Tesla; Blue Sky Design) at about $440,000; and P‑TECH 5 (SUNY Erie; IBM) at about $230,000. Harris said the district receives roughly $1.3 million per year across CTE middle‑college programs.

Harris provided current enrollment snapshots for dual‑enrollment seats: Smart Scholars (133 students in grades 10–12 receiving dual enrollment coursework), P‑TECH 2 (97 students), P‑TECH 3 (73 students) and P‑TECH 5 (107 students). He reviewed reporting requirements, past program evaluations and extension timelines (P‑TECH 2 and 3 extended to 2026/2027). Board members asked about potential new offerings (aeronautical program / Build & SOAR) and Harris said staff are willing to meet with external partners and explore grant opportunities.

Harris emphasized that these grants include partner meetings, curriculum alignment with college faculty, and supports for students (tutoring, work‑based learning coordinators, transportation to college partners). He said dual‑credit outcomes and graduation counts will continue to be tracked and reported to the state and the board.