Chandler district celebrates career and tech-ed programs

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

In the same year that some of the discussions around funding for career and technical educational courses and programs has become contentious, Chandler Unified has continued to expand its CTE programs.

District staff chose to hold a celebration and elaborate description of its programs for what it called “CTE Recognition Month” as part of the Feb. 25 CUSD Governing Board meeting.

Outgoing district CTE Director Lindsay Duran explained some of the basics on how such programs function within the district and listed numbers that show what a large fraction of secondary students are involved in them.

There are 6,821 students across Chandler’s high school programs enrolled in at least one CTE course this year. About 950 of those students attend East Valley Institute of Technology programs, while 71 CUSD high school teachers and 32 at the junior highs and middle schools help deliver the district’s 21 CTE programs.

The 2026-27 will be the second year for the district’s semiconductor technologies program at Hamilton High School and for Automation & Robotics at four high schools.

“Navigating Your Future: Additional Career Exploration” will be a course offering at CUSD junior high schools. New programs that are awaiting EVIT board approval include medical assisting and construction.

A contract approved later in the Feb. 25 meeting uses $1.5 million for renovations to the CTE culinary arts classrooms at Basha and Casteel high schools.
Duran introduced three recent CUSD graduates, who each spoke about at least one major accomplishment or goal their CTE programs helped them achieve.
Braidi Glasscock spoke about how digital photography and related skills that he learned at Perry High School propelled him into videographer position with a small company months after graduation.

Rylee Williams, a third-grade teacher at CUSD’s Auxier Elementary School, was a four-year Early Childhood CTE program student during her Basha High School years, as well as member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club. She is not only an educator, but also a mentor to Casteel High School students planning to enter education fields.

Vinicius “Vinny” Oliveira praised Angela Stutz’ Culinary Arts program at Perry, where he was a student for three years. He said Stutz helped guide him through the steps needed to work his way toward being a banquet cook and to work with top Valley chefs.

Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.