{"id":59958,"date":"2025-11-21T22:54:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T22:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/59958\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T22:54:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T22:54:32","slug":"plano-isd-cte-center-construction-continues-ahead-of-2026-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/59958\/","title":{"rendered":"Plano ISD CTE center construction continues ahead of 2026 opening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuckabee<\/a> Principal Ken Kessler got his first exposure to architecture in a Plano ISD<\/a> class. Now, Kessler is in charge of managing the construction of Plano ISD\u2019s new Career and Technical Education Center.<\/p>\n

Kessler called working on the project \u201cfull-circle,\u201d adding that the CTE programs at the new center would be a step up for the district.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was drafting designs at the end of a little hall,\u201d he said. \u201cStudents here are going to experience jobs as closely to a real world setting as possible. The difference is going to be night and day.\u201d<\/p>\n

What you need to know<\/p>\n

PISD CTE Director Karen Buechman said that the CTE Center will allow the district to expand on its \u201calready rapidly growing\u201d CTE programming in a space accessible to all students.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had programs that were at specific schools … so we needed to expand,\u201d she said. \u201cWe needed to add programs that are high-wage and in demand\u2014once our kids leave, we\u2019re setting them up to be leaders in a global workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n

The center will feature 18 programs ranging from automotive repair to cybersecurity and several more, each with a dedicated space.<\/p>\n

Certain programs will be accessible to the public, such as a full-service restaurant run by Culinary Arts students and a functioning credit union run by finance students.<\/p>\n

Superintendent Theresa Williams said that staff met with industry partners, local higher education institutions and studied workforce data to land on which programs needed to be included at the CTE Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re also continuing to find and add those industry partners, because I think that\u2019s what enriches the experience for our students,\u201d Williams said. \u201cWe\u2019re building tomorrow\u2019s workforce pipeline, and so we need to make sure that our kids are learning in a way that is as relevant to the real world as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Construction of the 150,000-square-foot center broke ground in November 2024, and is expected to cost around $72.2 million. The project is funded by the district\u2019s 2022 bond.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/p>\n

Buechman said that more than 29,000 students took CTE courses last school year, and PISD eighth graders got their first look at those opportunities at an Oct. 22 expo.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was our first year doing it and you couldn\u2019t find a parking space,\u201d Williams said. \u201cI think that was a good indicator of the demand. Eventually, we may even outgrow the CTE Center.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kessler added that the center was \u201cdesigned for expansion,\u201d and CTE Center Principal Jean Laswell said that staff is remaining adaptable with the curriculum.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was all about how we can make those spaces as fluid as possible,\u201d she said. \u201cWe adapt as quickly as possible, and make sure the students are ready. … Every single one of these programs is getting students real world experience that helps them in college or going straight into the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n

More information on the CTE center can be found here<\/a>, while more information on PISD\u2019s CTE programming can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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