Plainview ISD outlines Plainview Tech College plan with SPC partnership, targets Aug. 2026 opening

Plainview Independent School District trustees heard a detailed presentation on a proposed career-and-technical early-college program called Plainview Tech College (P TECH) that district leaders aim to open in August 2026.

District presenters said the program would operate on the South Plains College (SPC) campus under a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The district would take a five-year lease for a nominal $10 and provide ‘‘other valuable considerations’’ including commercial property insurance, custodial and preventative maintenance; renovations above $50,000 would require agreement of authorized representatives for the district and the college. ‘‘Plainview Tech College will officially open in the fall of or August ’26,’’ a district presenter told the board.

Program design: staff described P TECH as an early-college, workforce-focused model that pairs district students with community employers and SPC instructors. Initial pathways the district listed were associate-of-science tracks in agriculture and pre-nursing; an associate-of-art in general studies; a level‑1 welding certificate; and applied culinary arts. Presenters said additional pathways (business administration, law enforcement, industrial manufacturing/IMET, plumbing/HVAC and a ‘‘path to teach’’ for teacher certification) could be added if certified instructors are found.

Costs and funding: presenters said the program’s dual-credit tuition, supplies and transportation costs would be covered under district funding and House Bill 8 (referred to in the presentation as FAST) and by state incentives for P TECH programs. The district noted that the state currently pays additional weighted funding per P TECH student (presenters cited a current supplement of $50 per student with discussion of an increase to $150) and that the district can be reimbursed for transportation miles.

Facility and timeline concerns: board members asked about the campus condition (roof, parking and access), whether storefronts and glass needed bullet-resistant treatment, and how to staff expanded CTE offerings. Staff said two facility items — roof repairs and parking improvements — had been reviewed; the district roof specialist proposed a three‑phase approach and staff had submitted a grant application to help cover planning costs. On safety upgrades, staff said they would likely add ballistic film similar to other district sites. The district also signaled it would phase P TECH in by grade (starting with freshmen) rather than opening all grades at once to manage staffing and quality.

Staffing and partners: district presenters and Kristi Adey, Executive Director of the Plainview County Economic Development Corporation, described active employer outreach and said industry partners would help define programs and may help identify instructors. Presenters emphasized options for industry-experienced instructors (who may not hold master’s degrees) to teach CTE lab courses under college supervision; they also said SPC has existing programs and that some current SPC instructors and PISD staff already work at the facility.

Next steps: presenters described the board presentation as an initial reading; staff said they are working with the district’s legal counsel and SPC’s Board of Regents and hoped to return in February with a final draft of the MOU for board review and possible action. ‘‘We look forward to coming back in February with a completed MOU for your review and consideration,’’ the presentation concluded.

Why it matters: supporters said the P TECH model reduces barriers to postsecondary credentialing for first-generation students and creates a workforce pipeline that can attract businesses to Plainview. Board members and staff repeatedly raised implementation questions — notably capital repairs and teacher recruitment — that the district said must be resolved before a final agreement is signed.