Franklin County Career & Technology Center staff outline seats, new programs and funding to Chambersburg board

Dr. Leslie Schuman, director of the Franklin County Career & Technology Center, told the Chambersburg Area School District board on Dec. 16 that FCCTC serves six sending districts and that "Chambersburg is the biggest one of our sending districts." She described the center's recruitment cycle, application ranking and interview process, and plans for two new programs slated to begin January 2026.

Schuman said FCCTC offers 27 CTE programs and 33 CTE instructors, and noted the center uses a semester-based model that gives students a concentrated, full-day experience while they are enrolled. "Our application window opens usually about September 1 every year," she said, adding that applications close Jan. 10 and that sending-district counselors can view and edit student applications as part of a centralized system.

On capacity, Schuman explained each district has a quota tied to average daily membership and said Chambersburg's quota for the coming year is roughly 41.79 percent of available seats. "So that's the percentage of the seats that you would get," she said, describing how the district quota translates into seat offers after the center compiles ranked applications and conducts interviews.

Schuman highlighted workforce partnerships and funding sources supporting FCCTC. She said about 80 percent of the center's revenue comes from member districts and that Carl D. Perkins grant funds are a major source for industry equipment and program support. "Last year, we were pretty proud of the fact that we acquired about $3,000,000 in grant funds," she said, citing the figure as supporting facility and equipment upgrades. Schuman also noted Franklin County commissioners provided a $100,000 contribution for the new protective services program.

Two new programs Schuman described—protective services (Homeland Security pathway encompassing law enforcement, fire, EMS and related fields) and an expanded animal science program that includes large-animal husbandry—were presented as responses to local employer needs and student interest. She said the protective services program filled quickly for the January semester and is likely to fill for the following fall.

Board members asked clarifying questions about seat allocation, per-student district cost and how seats are shifted if program interviews reveal a better fit for a student. Schuman reiterated that sending districts decide final placement and that FCCTC staff interview students and make recommendations based on ranking and interview outcomes. The center estimated about 550 students attend per semester.