Purpose

Explain and test how upgrading a high school machine shop can benefit students’ career and technical education (CTE) outcomes in a specific district.

Main Provisions and What It Seeks to Accomplish

• Establishes a one-time grant program as a pilot to expand Career and Technical Education in Independent School District No. 31 Bemidji.
• Provides a $500,000 general fund appropriation to the Department of Education in a designated fiscal year to fund the Bemidji machine shop modernization as part of the district’s CTE programming.
• Funds may be used to purchase new equipment, update or repair existing equipment, cover installation costs, travel training, and contracted services related to the machine shop modernization.
• The project is a demonstration pilot intended to show the benefits of updating the machine shop for student learning and career readiness.

Reporting Requirements and Timeline

• By February 1, 2028, the district must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education on the funded activities.
• The report must include:
  • Student participation rates in the machine shop and changes over time
  • Demographic information about students served
  • A summary of career readiness skills developed
  • Partnerships with higher education and industry
  • Recommendations for state actions to improve CTE programming for all school districts
• This is a one-time appropriation, available until June 30, 2028.

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a targeted, time-limited demonstration pilot grant within the CTE framework, specifically for Bemidji ISD 31.
• Directs a single-district investment toward modernization of a machine shop as part of CTE programming.
• Requires formal reporting to legislative leadership to inform potential future state actions to improve CTE across districts.
• Does not establish ongoing funding beyond the specified appropriation and reporting requirement.

Funding Details

• Source: General fund appropriation to the Department of Education.
• Amount: $500,000 for the pilot (one-time).
• Availability: Funds may be used through June 30, 2028.

Key Scope and Limitations

• Location: Independent School District No. 31 Bemidji.
• Focus: Modernizing the district’s machine shop as part of CTE programming.
• Allowed uses: New equipment, updating/repairing equipment, installation, travel training, and contracted services.
• Outcome focus: Demonstrating benefits to students and informing state policy on CTE.

Relevant Terms - Career and Technical Education (CTE) - Pilot grant / demonstration pilot - Independent School District No. 31 Bemidji - Machine shop modernization - General fund appropriation - One-time appropriation - Postsecondary partnerships (higher education and industry) - Career readiness skills - Student participation rates - Demographic information - K-12 education - Legislative reporting requirements - Installation costs - Travel training - Contracted services - State actions to improve CTE programming - Availability period (through June 30, 2028)