Hamilton County Commission approves funding for vocational programs
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Over three million dollars for career and technical education programs for Hamilton County Schools have been unanimously approved by the Commission.
Announced last week by Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, these programs will be located at the Harrison Bay Future Ready Center, Howard School, East Ridge High School and Hixson High School.
Each investment looks to expand classroom sizes, introduce new courses and bring in new technology to these facilities.
Here is a list of where this funding will go:
Harrison Bay Future Ready Center: $1.5 million
(Serves students at Central High School, East Hamilton High School and Ooltewah High School)
- With a waiting list of more than 100 students, this investment will create four new classrooms, enabling enrollment to double from 250 to 500 students over the next three to five years.
- Installation of an elevator guaranteeing accessibility for all students
- Upgrading equipment for Advanced Manufacturing and Architecture and Construction pathways ensuring students train on the latest technologies so they are prepared to enter the workforce
The Howard School: $1 million
- Addition of a state-of-the-art ventilation system for welding classrooms, enhancing the health and safety of students and teachers while expanding the number of students who are able to participate in the program.
East Ridge High School: $500,000
- Providing industry-standard construction and automotive equipment to ensure the school’s growing CTE pathways provide students with the proper hands-on training that will prepare them to enter the workforce upon completion of programming.
Hixson High School: $250,000
- Hamilton County Schools’ first “pipeline partnership,” in which students in a CTE program can receive hands-on training with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service and an opportunity to earn a job with the agency upon graduation.
