Proposal for Northwest CTE center advances; district seeks additional design and construction funding
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Summary
Staff updated the board on a proposed Northwest Regional CTE Center sited at the Campfield early-learning center, noting a preliminary 2023 estimate of $70 million, $644,000 in state planning approval and roughly $3.5 million in county planning funds; additional funding and MSDE approvals will be needed before construction.
Board members received an update on the proposed Northwest Regional Career and Technical Education Center and asked questions about timeline, scope, funding and equity.
Presenters said the Campfield early-learning center site was approved by the board in January 2024 as the preferred location for a standalone CTE center serving a northwest region that includes Franklin, Milford Mill Academy, New Town, Owings Mills, Pikesville and Randallstown high schools. Staff described a preliminary project estimate from January 2023 of $70,000,000 and said state planning support of $644,000 and county planning/design contributions of about $3,500,000 have been approved to date; those funds are currently dedicated to planning and early design.
Project staff said the design phase typically takes 18 months to two years and that additional funding will be required to complete final design and move into construction. They also said the IAC funding formula and the state review process will shape program size and eligible spaces. Potential new programs under study include barbering and masonry, which would require MSDE approval and licensing considerations.
Board members raised equity and access questions, noting the center will draw students from a regional group of high schools rather than being a full-county magnet. Staff said the center is intended to expand opportunities in the northwest and to avoid moving successful programs out of existing schools.
The presentation closed with staff noting continued design work and the need to align program scope with funding availability; no construction appropriation was requested at the meeting.