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CareerTech board reviews FY26 appropriations request and approves $1.606M grant pool for disadvantaged centers
Summary
Board members discussed the FY26 appropriations request and the 2025–2029 strategic plan goals (enrollment targets, TIP and apprenticeship expansion), and approved a plan to distribute $1.606 million in leftover one‑time funds via a grant program for disadvantaged technology centers under specified eligibility criteria.
The Oklahoma CareerTech Board discussed the FY26 appropriations request and related strategy and approved a package of proposals to use leftover one‑time funds to assist disadvantaged technology centers.
Board staff reviewed the 2025–2029 strategic plan and the FY26 request as part of the first reading. Staff described strategic targets including a 15% system‑wide enrollment increase over five years, a 10% increase in credentials, and growth targets for the Training for Industry Program (TIP) and apprenticeships. Russell Ray, director of communications and marketing, noted FY24 enrollments at 521,000 (a 6.5% increase over FY23) and highlighted CareerTech’s role in supporting industry expansions through customized training agreements.
On the FY26 appropriations request, agency leadership described the process of surveying schools to prioritize program needs and acknowledged rising costs; the transcript referenced last year’s request of $37,000,000 and referred to this year’s request with audio rendered as "416 50" (presenter characterized it as a higher total). Staff explained that agency operations funding would be expressed as a percentage (up to 3% suggested) of the total request to support additional FTEs and administrative needs.
Separately, the board considered how to spend $1.606 million in leftover one‑time funds. Staff proposed eligibility criteria for a competitive grant: (1) building fund mills of two or less; (2) building fund revenue equal to 10% or less of the general fund over a five‑year span; and (3) building fund allocation consistently below $1.5 million (reviewed over three years). Under that framework staff estimated an illustrative per‑school award of about $321,200 if funds were divided among qualifying applicants. Board members discussed whether to fund fewer schools with larger awards or more schools with smaller awards; staff clarified the funding would be distributed via a grant application process and the motion to proceed passed by roll call.
Staff said the agency will continue to refine baseline metrics (including current TIP enrollment) and present any further adjustments at the second reading. Materials for the legislative appropriations submission and related maps will be prepared for the Oct. 1 deadline.
