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CHAMPION -- Trumbull Career and Technical Center officials are waiting to hear from the state about their request for $5.6 million to be used for a proposed new building at the school.
Superintendent Jason Gray said the needed paperwork and proposal were submitted last week for the funding through Gov. Mike DeWine's Career / Technology Education Construction Expansion Selection program.
The funding would allow for an industrial program building.
Officials said the governor's budget for the career and technical construction program is $200 million.
Being discussed is a 12,900-square-foot building at the southeastern side of the current building near the auto service program area.
"We can expand on industrial programs, which are in high demand by companies," Gray said.
Officials said these new programs will allow for 100 more students.
Gray said officials should know by the end of June if approval is given. The structure would be built during the 2023-24 school year and opened for the 2024-25 school year.
"If we get this, it will mean amazing things for the school and open up many opportunities for the students," he said.
"By creating new programs we will also increase enrollment," added Director Paula Baco.
"During their junior year, students will have a core look at the industrial programs, and their senior will get them out into the workfield under internships. We will provide them the skills they will need and what the employers need," she said.
Baco said part of the building will be shared labs, classroom spaces and restrooms. Of the $5.6 million, she said $4.6 million is for the building and about $1 million for the equipment.
She said the proposed project and concept have received support from the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, Star Manufacturing, Trumbull Planning Commission and Trumbull County Educational Service Center.
Baco said there also has been discussion that the programs could be offered after school or in the summer months, when students from other schools could come and earn basic credentials.
In other business, Gray reported the new culinary art program restaurant and kitchen project should be done before the end of August.
"Every time I look at what is being done, it changes. It is almost done," Gray said.
The original kitchen has been at the school since the late 1970s.
Cody Holecko, TCTC treasurer, said this school year and continuing into the summer, a lot of repairs and remodeling have been done to bring classrooms up to date.
Plans also are being made for a new equestrian program building to serve as a classroom and barn.