Community volunteer urges expanded CTE access for Title I students in Brevard

Bernard Bryant, who identified himself as a community volunteer, used his three‑minute public comment slot at the April 14 Brevard County School Board meeting to praise the district's career and technical education (CTE) programs and urge the board to expand access to Title I and middle school students.

Bryant singled out Eau Gallie High School's aviation program and said students emerging from that program could go on to work at employers such as Embraer. He told the board he was "so impressed" with Brevard's CTE offerings and complimented CTE leader Ms. Rutledge and her team.

Bryant cited a sample he said showed "41% of our high school students in one simple sample that didn't have a plan in terms of what they're going to do after high school," adding that in the same sample 35% were going to college and 19% directly to work. He urged the district to "provide CTE programs to especially those kids that are in Title 1 schools" and to allow middle school students opportunities to visit high‑school CTE programs that might spark interest.

Board members responded by thanking Bryant and offering to provide more information. Ms. Campbell invited Bryant to visit Ms. Rutledge and review CTE budgets and said staff could provide further detail on how CTE programs are funded, noting that many CTE expenses are for software and equipment rather than printed textbooks. The board and staff encouraged follow‑up outside the meeting to examine funding and access issues in more detail.

The board did not take action on Bryant's request during the meeting; members suggested staff could provide budget breakdowns and coordinate visits if the community or board members requested them.