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Prince George board authorizes superintendent to pursue GoTech career‑lab commitment pending grant funding
Summary
The board authorized the superintendent to sign a letter of commitment with GoTech to pursue a GoVirginia grant for a career‑connections lab at JEJ Moore Middle School; estimated implementation cost $170,000, with a requested in‑kind match and a $8,000 two‑year support fee.
The Prince George County School Board on Dec. 9 authorized the superintendent to execute a district commitment for a proposed GoTech Career Connections lab at JEJ Moore Middle School, contingent on external grant funding.
Lauren Sodell of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Drew Jackson of the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research described the GoTech model and the partnership proposal. “The estimated total, cost, for the implementation would be $170,000,” Sodell said, and she added that “the majority of this funding would be requested from GoVirginia.” She also outlined a district in‑kind match — up to a year of a teacher’s salary and facility space — and an $8,000 fee to the Institute for the first two years to support a regional coordinator role.
Board members asked for timing and financial detail. David Charland of Pierce Group Benefits, who presented earlier in the meeting, was not part of the GoTech discussion but board members referenced budget timing when assessing risk.
Sodell told the board the GoTech grant decision process would likely reach the state GoVirginia board in June, and she said a district commitment could be made contingent on grant approval. “It can be contingent upon approval from Go Virginia Fund,” she said.
After discussion, a motion to move the GoTech commitment to an action item and authorize Dr. Lyle to execute a letter of commitment passed on a roll call vote. The board voted to authorize the superintendent to proceed with the letter of commitment; the action was recorded as approved by roll call.
What happens next: GoTech requested an early commitment letter to support a spring grant submission; administrative staff said they would draft language allowing the district’s commitment to be expressly contingent on receipt of grant funds. If GoVirginia and other partners fund the project, the district would follow up with a formal contract or agreement that will return to the board for final approval.
Funding and timeline: GoTech representatives indicated the program aims to be ready for the 2025–26 school year if grant funds are secured and the district provides the in‑kind match and the two‑year implementation fee. The board’s authorization does not itself obligate capital funds; any required local contributions would be returned to the board for approval when specific costs are known.
