Tech Center highlights high placement rates, AOPA drone program and new multimedia studio equipment

The board heard an update from the Midale (Tech) Center on program outcomes, enrollment trends and a hands‑on demonstration of the center's AOPA drone program, and approved equipment purchases to expand media production capacity.

In a brief presentation Miss Foster said the Tech Center reported a positive placement rate of about 98% for students who completed at least 240 hours in their programs and an 88% related placement rate — meaning most graduates entered work closely related to their training. "98 positive placement rate, which means they either continued on in their education, entered the military, or a job," Foster said.

Foster introduced Jason Stacy, who said the Tech Center's AOPA program helps students earn a Part 107 remote‑pilot certification and some second‑year students work toward the private pilot written exam. "Our primary objective is we get our students to get their Part 107 drone license," Stacy said, describing applications of drone training across inspections, surveillance and media production.

Student Caden Farrow demonstrated a small drone and summarized his experience: he said preparing for the Part 107 required concentrated study and that he passed the test. The presentation included examples of internships and placement outcomes tied to cybersecurity and other pathways.

Foster also requested approval to purchase multimedia production studio equipment funded in part by an Oklahoma Lottery grant; trustees approved the equipment purchase unanimously, and district staff said the studio will support student podcasting, broadcasting and course work as part of the Tech Center curriculum.