Meridian School District Expands Career Technical Education Programs with New Facility
MERIDIAN, Idaho — The West Ada School District has made a significant investment in career technical education (CTE) by purchasing a 70,000-square-foot warehouse for $12.8 million. This new facility will be the district’s largest CTE center upon completion, funded through House Bill 521 and a grant from the State Department of Education for retrofitting costs.
Will Schumaker, the district’s CTE overseer, highlighted a notable rise in student interest for programs such as welding, firefighting, and construction, stating, “We have a lot of students that are interested in our courses, which is a great problem to have.” However, he acknowledged that the current facilities cannot meet the growing demand, which has led to limited opportunities for students.
The warehouse, currently utilized for lumber storage, will undergo renovations to create a two-floor facility with specialized labs and classrooms tailored for various programs including EMT training, power sports, and residential construction. Schumaker emphasized the importance of providing hands-on learning environments that closely reflect actual industry settings.
The goal of the initiative is to equip students with the skills they need for in-demand careers right out of high school. Schumaker noted positive feedback from students, with many expressing excitement about the prospect of stepping directly into rewarding careers post-graduation.
If all goes as planned, the new facility could open its doors to students by the fall of 2026, marking a new chapter in the district’s commitment to enhancing career readiness and opportunities for its students.
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