Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Cte topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edgecomb board hears CTE progress as district wins $500,000 Golden Leaf grant for welding lab
Summary
District leaders reported rapid growth in career and technical education credentials and participation; Dr. Brian said the Golden Leaf award will fund a $500,000 welding program and lab at Tarborough High School in partnership with Nashville Community College.
Edgecomb Public Schools trustees heard a presentation on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and were told the district received a $500,000 Golden Leaf grant to establish a welding program and lab at Tarborough High School.
Dr. Brian told the board the Golden Leaf board of directors awarded funding that will support job creation and workforce-preparedness projects. "We're very excited to announce that the Golden Leaf board awarded $500,000 to county public schools to establish a welding program and lab at Tarborough High School in partnership with Nashville Community College," Dr. Brian said.
The CTE presentation, led by Dr. Whitaker, outlined five program areas, 11 clusters and 18 career pathways across the district. Dr. Whitaker said last school year the district reported about 1,245 middle-school participants and 1,272 high-school participants in CTE courses and noted substantial growth in credential attainment. "A credential, you could possibly earn ServSafe food handler certifications and other industry credentials," Dr. Whitaker said, describing how credentials can translate to higher pay and workplace opportunities for graduates.
Presenters said the district has increased credential completions sharply year-over-year and emphasized "durable skills"—adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, personal responsibility and empathy—aligned to the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate. Dr. Whitaker described cohorts of CTE teachers receiving training to embed those skills across content areas.
Board members asked which schools offer specific pathways such as construction management and agriculture; presenters replied that some pathways run through partnerships with a local community college and that not every high school offers every pathway. A trustee shared an anecdote about a former student who found a career through facilities maintenance and community college courses, underscoring members' support for expanding hands-on options.
The board and staff said they will report back on implementation details for the welding lab as the grant-funded project moves from planning to facility and equipment procurement. The board also noted the welding lab will be part of broader workforce-development efforts with county and community partners.
