2 Siouxland school districts each receive $200k grants for career and technical education

PIERRE, S.D. (KCAU) — Two Siouxland school districts in South Dakota have been awarded grants to be used for their career and technical education (CTE) programs.

The Elk Point-Jefferson School District received $214,151.20, while the Vermillion School District received $219,618.01. The grants, awarded by the South Dakota Department of Education, will go towards buying “innovative, industry-grade equipment” for CTE programs, according to a release.

The districts were just two of the 36 South Dakota school districts awarded a total of $6.4 million in grants.

“We gave schools a definite challenge to carefully examine their needs and let us know how we could help truly set their CTE programs up for long-term success,” Secretary of Education Joe Graves stated. “Our districts rose to that challenge. I am excited by the opportunities this grant will afford our students, and in turn our communities and businesses throughout the state.”

According to the South Dakota Department of Education, CTE programs combine academics with technical skills and hands-on training, aiming to prepare students for real-world careers.

The grants were funded by the American Rescue Plan and the federal Perkins grant.

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