LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – The Lauderdale County School District is moving ahead with plans for its first-ever Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, a project that marks a significant milestone in the district’s educational offerings.
After extensive planning and community input, the school board has approved the next phase of the project, which involves refurbishing the former Peavey Service Warranty Building on Highway 11/80 in East Meridian. This facility will undergo interior construction and roof repairs to create a modern and safe learning environment.
The CTE Center will initially feature four key pathways designed to prepare students for careers in high-demand fields:
- Health & Human Services: Including programs such as Law & Public Safety.
- Education, Arts & Communications: Featuring future programs tailored to emerging industry needs.
- STEM, Industrial, Construction, and Manufacturing: Highlighting initiatives like the Ag Power Program in partnership with Kubota.
- Business Management, Finance, and Administration: With plans for future expansions to meet workforce demands.
The project is expected to take 15 months, with a target opening date of August 2026, potentially earlier. Funding comes from state allocations, with an initial $8 million designated for construction and development. Preliminary work, including deconstruction and architectural planning, has already begun.
“We’ll be able to offer these programs to all of our students,” said Rob Smith, LCSD CTE Director. “With plans for adding more programs, this center will meet the training needs of current and new industries in the area.”
Dr. John-Mark Cain, LCSD Superintendent, added, “We’re excited to provide our students with opportunities to thrive in a competitive workforce.”
The Lauderdale County School District is committed to empowering students through innovative educational initiatives and looks forward to celebrating the opening of the new CTE Center.
