District presents $32 million schematic plan for new CTE center, estimates 18-month build

MSD Southwest Allen County Schools staff presented schematic plans for a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center, saying the first-pass budget is $32,000,000 and that schematic design is underway.

The district's presenter, identified in the meeting as Randy (a district facilities/staff member), told the board the project is in schematic design with Garmin, Miller and Hagerman engaged and meeting every other week to refine programming, space and equipment needs. "We have a first pass at this budget being 32,000,000," Randy said, adding the team is working through square footage and equipment needs to meet statutory and program requirements.

Why it matters: The center is a central element of the 2025 bond series and is intended to consolidate and expand vocational programs now offered off site. Board members and staff said the building would provide closer-to-home access to hands-on instruction and reduce transportation barriers for students who currently travel to partner sites.

Janine Kleber, a district CTE staff member who led program descriptions, outlined a plan for roughly 26 programs (14 of them new) spanning emergency medical services, pharmacy tech, exercise science, cosmetology and barbering, medical assisting (with a proposed Swiss model that could yield multiple certifications), criminal justice, advanced manufacturing (welding, precision machining, biotech), construction trades, early childhood education and culinary arts. "We are expanding to 26 programs," Kleber said. "Some of these programs will remain at Homestead High School; ones that need more lab space will move to the CTE center."

On culinary training, Kleber explained the CTE design includes a public-facing capstone restaurant intended to seat about 60 people, staffed and operated by students as the program's culminating experience. "Currently, at Homestead, we do have beautiful kitchens for our culinary arts. However, it does not allow for the capstone'kind of the jewel in the crown," Kleber said. "This will be designed to run out to the community." She said the restaurant will include a working back-of-house kitchen with secure delivery access and walk-in coolers.

Site and building features described by staff include a berm and tree buffer along the neighborhood edge, gated service access, dedicated high-bay areas for advanced manufacturing and an early-childhood wing with on-site care for infants through pre-K. The presenter said restroom designs will include floor-to-ceiling partitions and individual sinks in stalls to improve accessibility and circulation.

Timing and next steps: Staff said schematic design is expected to conclude in March, followed by design development and construction documents. The presenter estimated construction would take approximately 18 months, with some early bid packages issued in late fall to avoid winter groundwork delays and an expected closeout around May 2028 to allow teacher training before a school year. Staff will continue to refine equipment lists, HVAC selections and square footage as schematic work proceeds.

The board did not take any formal vote during the work session; staff framed the presentation as an opportunity for feedback and scheduled follow-up work sessions to report progress.