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Sumner County to spend roughly $14.5 million from state CTE "ISM" funds for equipment, career coaches
Summary
Sumner County Schools staff told the board that the state'funded ISM program will provide roughly $14.5 million over four years for CTE upgrades, including one career coach per high school and capital renovations; the first-year amendment covers spending through June 30.
The Sumner County Board of Education heard a detailed report on a state Career and Technical Education funding program known as ISM, with district staff saying the one'time $500 million state investment will deliver about $14.5 million to Sumner County over four years.
Dr. Phillips introduced the item and invited Chase Moore to walk trustees through the district'level plan. Moore said the state allotment was written to give each high school up to $1 million and each middle school up to $500,000; for Sumner County that equals roughly $8 million for eight high schools and $6 million for 12 middle schools plus a combination school, totaling approximately $14.5 million over four years. The board will consider an amendment tonight that covers only the funds the district plans to spend by June 30, Moore said, with the bulk of purchases planned for the 2024'25 school year.
Moore described district priorities that emerged from teacher and principal requests: a CTE career coach position at every high school to coordinate employer partnerships, work'based learning and student advising; renovations to create school'based enterprises and simulated clinics or labs; and equipment purchases such as robotic and virtual welders, heavy'equipment simulators, Anatomage-style tables for health and veterinary instruction, large format printers and direct'to'garment printers for student-run enterprises.
Moore said the district solicited teacher input through an August distribution of guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education and then produced 21 school budgets to prioritize requests; the application was submitted to TDOE on Feb. 13. He noted the funds are noncompetitive (districts that apply will receive the money after meeting state minimums) and that some purchases will be made in later fiscal years to allow time for vendor lead times and teacher training.
Board members asked about recurring costs and staffing. Moore said most purchases are one'time capital items; the primary recurring cost in the current plan would be the CTE career coach positions. "If they're successful and helping our students, then over the next three budget cycles you'll need to be prepared whether to add those into the general purpose budget," Dr. Phillips said.
Moore also said the district will use some funds to remove financial barriers for students (for example, covering the $25 fee for dual'credit exams) and to continue summer CTE camps and industry certifications. Board members and public commenters responded positively to the emphasis on work'based learning and career pathways for students who do not plan to attend four'year colleges.
The board took no final vote tonight on a comprehensive four'year spending plan; the amendment under consideration covers only the current fiscal year allotment through June 30 and will be folded into the budget process for subsequent years.
