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Duplin County Schools reports strong CTE credential rates but warns of 10% projected funding cut
Summary
CTE director Erica Jones told the board the district earned 4,144 industry credentials in 2024–25 and an 82.5% credential-attainment rate, but she said the CTE program faces projected state and federal funding cuts of about 10% and described facility upgrades and program additions needed to meet employer demand.
Erica Jones presented Duplin County Schools' biannual Career and Technical Education (CTE) comprehensive local needs assessment on June 2, reporting high credential and graduation rates for CTE concentrators but flagging budget and facility gaps that could limit program growth.
"We had 3,473 students take a total of 6,231 courses," Jones said, and reported that students earned 4,144 industry-recognized credentials during the 2024–25 school year. She said the district's CTE concentrator graduation rate is above 98% and that credential-attainment for CTE students was about 82.48%, placing the district in the state top 10 for credential attainment.
Jones outlined program needs identified in the CLNA, including adding pathways in electrical systems, project management and drone technology; modernizing shop and lab facilities to meet industry standards; and converting Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) labs at North Duplin and James Keenan into commercial kitchens to support a shift to a culinary curriculum by the 2027–28 school year. She said the district is pursuing Patterson labs for middle grades and intends to strengthen pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship work-based learning opportunities.
Jones also described funding sources for CTE and warned of a projected 10% reduction in state and federal funding for next year, saying staffing and program allocations could be affected. She noted several recent grants that supported shop construction, greenhouses, and innovation projects, and that the district partners with the local community college on the CLNA process.
Board members asked no follow-up questions during the presentation portion recorded in the transcript. Jones closed by saying the CLNA will shape the district's two-year CTE local application and plan of work.
