Weber School District wins $25 million implementation grant to create 'Innovate' campus for career-focused learning
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Summary
Superintendent Butters and district leaders unveiled a three-part 'Innovate' campus model—personalized competency-based learning, leadership training and eight profession-based academies—backed by a $25 million state catalyst implementation grant and a $5 million industry contribution for capital costs. The district said funds will be used only for facilities and equipment.
Weber School District announced a $25 million implementation award from the state Catalyst Campus program to develop a new "Innovate" campus aimed at preparing students for industry careers through competency-based academics, explicit leadership instruction and profession-based learning academies.
Superintendent Butters introduced the plan and said the district had applied for the competitive Catalyst grant and secured the largest district allocation. He told the board the $25 million award must be used for capital and equipment only, and described the project as a way to retain and attract students amid enrollment declines and expanding school‑choice options. District leaders also noted a previously awarded $5 million IHC contribution that will be paired with the state funds for facility and equipment needs.
Nikki Slaw, identified in the presentation as the proposed PCBL/Innovate director, described the school’s three core components. "Students won't simply move from class to class," she said; instead, she said, they will work on real-world projects connected to academy pathways, earn industry certifications, and complete internships and service internships tied to the community and local employers.
Rod Belknap, who led the CTE and industry alignment work, said district staff examined local and regional workforce data and higher-education partnerships to select eight academy areas, including aeronautics (including drone work), AI and cybersecurity, engineering and industrial design, construction and trades, health and human services, entrepreneurship and innovation, design/visual arts, and leadership. He said over 50 industry partners had provided letters of support and that Hill Air Force Base, local hospitals and area employers are engaged as potential partners.
The district described a phased enrollment plan: part-time opportunities for 11th and 12th graders in Year 1, and a full-time applicant cohort for grades 7–10 (the district expects to select 30% of applicants based on merit and 70% by lottery to avoid overconcentrating any one sending school). Slaw said the application and lottery will be conducted about 10 months before the school opens so staffing impacts districtwide can be managed.
Superintendent Butters emphasized the district will continue CTE programming at boundary schools and said the Innovate campus is intended to add options, not replace existing programs. House Speaker Mike Schultz, who was introduced by district leaders and spoke to the board, praised the model and highlighted legislative support for the statewide Catalyst funding framework (HB 447) and local industry engagement.
District staff said planning and design work would begin immediately, with campus advisory boards, focus groups, marketing and staffing/phasing work to follow. The presentation repeatedly noted the $25 million implementation award and the $5 million IHC contribution can be used only for capital or equipment costs and not for staffing.
Next steps the board was asked to participate in include periodic progress reports, focus groups and assistance with community outreach and advisory-board development. No final board vote to create the campus was recorded at the meeting; the presentation served as an informational rollout and an invitation for further board feedback and involvement.
