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Board hears Maritime South Sound Skills Center partnership; resolution due April 13
Summary
The board heard a presentation on a regional maritime skills center in Tacoma that would offer half-day CTE programs for grades 11–12, require no upfront cost from Clover Park, cap initial Clover Park enrollment at 20 students for 2026–27 and ask the district to contribute $50 per enrolled student annually for maintenance.
Dr. Demetria Hajis, the district—s director of college, career readiness and CTE, told the Clover Park School District board on March 23 about a new regional Maritime South Sound Skills Center (referred to in the presentation as Maritime 235) being developed by Port of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Schools.
Hajis said the center, located at 821 Doc Street in Tacoma and slated to open in September 2026, is designed to serve eleventh- and twelfth-grade students across Pierce County with programs aligned to maritime industry needs. The partnership would use a half-day model: students attend their home high school for half the day and the skills center for the other half; students can earn three credits per year, dual credit, course equivalencies and industry certifications.
Key district obligations described by Hajis include no upfront cost to join the center, a cap of 20 Clover Park students for the 2026–27 school year, an annual contribution of $50 per enrolled Clover Park student to a required maintenance fund, and a proportional share of the special-education liaison salary for enrolled Clover Park students with IEPs or 504 plans. Families would be responsible for transportation; Hajis said students could use Pierce Transit with a free Orca card and that the district—s executive director of transportation would support students who need transit options.
Hajis said Clover Park will designate a district representative to serve on the maritime governing board and that a resolution and interdistrict cooperative agreement will be brought to the board for consideration at its April 13 meeting. Board members asked about union involvement, transportation availability and liability; Hajis said unions active at the Port of Tacoma were involved, students would be required to earn OSHA-10 or equivalent industry certifications before shop access, and the skill center would maintain insurance and family notification of risks.
If the board approves the interlocal agreement in April, staff said additional operational details and final enrollment procedures will be provided to the board before students attend.
