Funding to be used for Career and Technical Education Center
LUMBERTON — NC Senator Danny Britt and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt presented the Public Schools of Robeson County with a $12 million check for the Robeson Career and Technical Education Center, Planetarium and Science Center.
The check presentation took place Monday during a special meeting of the Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education.
“I just wanted to let you know that Robeson County has recently been awarded an additional $12 million under the Needs-Based Construction Fund funding,” Senator Britt told PSRC Board of Education members. “This again will help to build what will be a $72 million building for Robeson County.”
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt shared congratulatory remarks for the school district.
“This is very good news,” Truitt said. “What I’m really excited about is that you all are building a facility that is going to help our students be able to get jobs in the future and to really become a shining light within their communities.”
The funding was awarded from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund.
The original Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund award in 2020-2021 was $15 million.
An additional $25 million was added in 2021-2022 and another $10 million in 2022-2023 from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, putting the school district’s funding for the project at $50 million. Robeson County commissioners gave a match of $2.5 million, and PSRC gave a match of $2.5 million. Senator Britt and legislators also allocated $5 million towards the planetarium and science center through the state budget. The additional $12 million brings the district’s total to $72 million. “This board is appreciative, the Public Schools of Robeson County is appreciative,” said PSRC Board of Education Chairman Randy Lawson. “Dr. Williamson, Senator Britt, thank you for advocating for us. State Superintendent Truitt, thank you.”
“What a great day,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson. “We will serve 1,000 students in this facility. Isn’t that amazing?”
“We’re having a conversation this morning about economic development and economic impact now and for the future of Robeson County,” Williamson said.
The new career center will house PSRC CTE courses and add a full state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Program and Drone Technology Program. Other course offerings include Mechatronics, Welding, Automotive Technology, EMT and more.
The nearly 110,000 sq. ft. center will also be the home of the new Robeson Planetarium and Science Center. The planetarium’s facility was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. It is now located at PSRC Central Office.
Watch the entire meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ttBUKWzA3E