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Board backs McTec industrial sewing and design program in partnership with Carhartt
Summary
The board approved a grant‑funded industrial sewing and digital design teacher and authorized a McTec task force; district staff said Carhartt and partners will supply curriculum (ISAAC) and some cycled equipment and the program could begin in August if approved.
The Mercer County Board of Education approved a grant‑funded industrial sewing and digital design teacher for McTec and created an advisory McTec task force on May 26 as part of efforts to expand career and technical education.
A presenter described collaboration with Carhartt, the Benjamin Foundation, the State Department and program designer Reed Miller to develop a high school program teaching sewing and digital design skills. The presenter said Carhartt provided curriculum called ISAAC and will assist with training; the district requested $76,000 toward curriculum development and equipment and received a $76,000 equipment/curriculum allocation as part of the proposal.
Speaker 14 said, "They've actually given us that curriculum... and then training," and added the program could be operational in August if approved. The district plans to relocate esports into the current IT space and house the sewing program where esports now is; staff noted logistical challenges moving heavy equipment without an elevator but said they have a mobile stair climber and are acquiring a lift for future needs.
Separately, the board approved creation of a McTec task force to advise on construction, facility planning, vocational program expansion and business partnerships; that advisory group will provide community‑based perspectives to inform board decision‑making.
Both the hire (grant‑funded teacher) and creation of the advisory task force passed on voice votes recorded as 4–0.
