Valley school district seeks state grant

Grant could "expand opportunities in the practical arts" curriculum, the superintendent said

By John Tredrea
   At the recommendation of Superintendent Judith A. Ferguson, the Hopewell Valley school board voted unanimously Monday night to apply for a Tech Prep Grant from the New Jersey Department of Education.
   The grant could "expand opportunities in the practical arts" curriculum, the superintendent said.
   The grant would "fund the design and implementation of the tech prep programs in collaboration with the school districts of Ewing, MCVT (Mercer County Vocational Technical) and MCCC (Mercer County Community College)," the superintendent said. "The grant amount is $170,000 for each of three years and would be shared by the participating districts."
   Dr. Ferguson added: "Through a joint venture, if awarded this grant, the district will be able to expand opportunities in the practical arts so that students may enjoy work experience in their chosen career field and may enroll in courses for credit at the community college and a four-year institution while in high school.
   "Career clusters under consideration at this time are related to IT (Information Technology) and marketing, but could also be expanded to include television and/or health careers," she said.
   Dr. Ferguson also said the grant would not eliminate any high school courses, but would "build upon them."