The Morrow County School District is among those receiving large grants from the state this week.
The Oregon Department of Education announced the awarding of CTE (Career and Technical Education) Revitalization Grants statewide. Four of the InterMountain Service District’s school districts were awarded substantial grants:
- Morrow County School District $390,745
- Elgin School District $378,000
- La Grande School District $379,852
- Pendleton School District $390,745
The districts competed with more than 70 districts statewide for the $9 million. The La Grande, Morrow County and Pendleton school districts all belong to the InterMountain CTE Consortium, which is organized and managed by the InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD). Elgin School District belongs to a separate consortium; however, it is a component school district of the IMESD.
Jennifer Pambrun, Regional CTE coordinator at the IMESD, said the awarding of the grants is an exciting, positive step toward creating stronger CTE programs in the region. These grants, however, are just one part of the re-dedication of support ODE is giving to CTE programs.
“Many, many people who have worked diligently in the CTE field for several years are encouraged by the funding the state is allocating so CTE programs can continue to improve, serve more students and prepare youth for the jobs and careers in the next decades,” Pambrun said.
According to ODE’s website, the purpose of the CTE Revitalization Grant is “to strengthen existing CTE programs of study and create new CTE programs of study that will meet workforce needs in high wage and high demand occupations, support achievement of the Oregon diploma, and address the needs of historically underserved students. These revitalized CTE programs will give students the knowledge and skills required in careers that provide high wages and are in high demand. Partnerships between business, industry, labor, and educators are the foundation to the revitalization of CTE.”
The school districts who received grants have a variety of projects planned.
The Morrow County School District will expand and strengthen existing “Manufacturing: Industrial and Engineering Systems and Agricultural Science and Technology” CTE programs of study at three Morrow County high schools: Boardman, Irrigon, and Heppner. The district will upgrade infrastructure and equipment in the welding and manufacturing labs to industry standards, offering students the knowledge and skills needed for high wage, high demand jobs in the community. This project is a small part of the regional workforce development plan that includes construction of the Blue Mountain Community College Workforce Training Center in Boardman.
