FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2021
For more information, contact:
| Amanda Denevan Williston Basin School District #7 701-609-0252 amanda.denevan@willistonschools.org |
Lindsey Harriman Williams County 701-577-4557 lindseyh@co.williams.nd.us |
Williams County commits $5 million in matching funds for Williston Basin School District #7’s CTE grant application
Williston, N.D., (November 17, 2021) – Williston Basin School District #7 (WBSD7) has received a commitment from Williams County for $5 million in matching funds to support their application for North Dakota’s Federal Coronavirus Career and Technical Education Capital Projects Grant.
The grant program, administered by the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE), enables public school districts to apply for up to $10 million in grant funds for increasing CTE opportunities through the addition of Career and Technology Centers and/or facilities. Grant dollars require monetary or in-kind matching funds from private and/or public entities.
Acting Superintendent Lori Olson, Willison High School Vice Principal Audrey Larson, and Curriculum Director Dr. Victoria Arneson presented WBSD7’s grant application concept during the Williams County Board of County Commission’s regular meeting on November 16, 2021. Vice Principal Larson introduced the three-year, $20 million plan, which would bring a diverse offering of CTE programs including agriculture, construction technology, petroleum technology, and more to several school districts across northwestern North Dakota. Grant funds, which would make up half of the project’s cost, would need to be expended by 2024.
“This is a great opportunity for Williams County Students, and we are grateful for the partnership with Williams County and look forward to what we can accomplish together” says Acting Superintendent Olson.
Success of the proposed CTE programs hinges on partnerships with local businesses as well as other school districts. During the application development process, WBSD7 has reached out to Tioga, Grenora, Ray, Crosby, and Alexander Public Schools for possible collaboration opportunities.
Recognizing the importance of CTE to building the workforce and skillset of students in our region, Commissioners unanimously agreed to provide WBSD7 $5 million in matching funds to support the grant application. Commissioner David Montgomery made the motion for the County to support at that level “because it is benefitting not only the kids in Williston and Williams County, but also businesses in the future.”
Applications are due by December 1, 2021, and awardees are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
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