Burlington Technical Center urges measured approach to statewide CTE consolidation, cites access, transportation and local industry ties
March 22, 2025 | Commerce & Economic Development, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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Burlington Technical Center leaders told the Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on March 21 that changes to the state Career and Technical Education (CTE) governance should proceed cautiously to avoid weakening local industry ties and student access.
Tom Flanagan, superintendent of the Burlington School District, and Jason Reid, director of Burlington Technical Center (BTC), urged the committee to center equity and access while preserving local flexibility and strong relationships with sending high schools and regional employers.
Flanagan said BTC supports "working to make CTE an accessible and important aspect of Vermont students' education, and we agree that equity and access must be at the heart of any changes to the system." He warned that "a single centralized governance model risks weakening the community connections that are so vital to CTE success," and recommended encouraging regional collaboration rather than imposing a statewide, one-size-fits-all model.
BTC officials described the center as a half-day program governed by the Burlington School District with long-standing program advisory committees and a regional advisory board that includes industry, higher education and district partners. Reid said BTC is monitored through the Agency of Education's required reviews and that the center's performance data is meeting or exceeding state targets.
Officials highlighted several practical barriers that, they said, any governance reform must address: transportation funding, differing graduation-credit requirements among sending high schools, and the administrative complexity of operating programs across multiple sites. Flanagan and Reid told the committee BTC currently pays rent for three facilities and that Burlington School District has absorbed costs to keep tuition to sending districts manageable; those costs have begun to be redistributed through tuition to sending districts.
Reid described the learning advantages of site proximity to industry, citing BTC's aviation maintenance program at the airport. "I had seniors in high school doing run ups on real aircraft," Reid said, noting the program is the state's only FAA-certified aircraft maintenance school and draws students from outside Chittenden County. He also said the airport location offers direct exposure to advanced manufacturing and other employers that enrich students' career planning.
Committee members asked about enrollment, scheduling and competition with other centers. BTC reported current enrollment of about 240 high-school students (not including daytime adult learners) and said adult enrollment in the full-day aviation program is roughly eight to 10 students. Officials said some programs are oversubscribed while others are underenrolled; waitlists exist in popular programs and space or staffing constraints limit expansion in fields such as health care.
Flanagan and Reid told the panel that dual-enrollment college credits embedded in many CTE programs have increased students' postsecondary participation. They also said a recent prohibition on early-college enrollment has contributed to lost senior-year seats and enrollment challenges for BTC.
On facilities, BTC said the Burlington High School-BTC consolidated building project is on track for an August 2026 start. The airport renovation timeline is more uncertain after an initial Act 250 permitting delay and additional challenges meeting federal Build America, Buy America sourcing requirements; BTC officials said contractors and project managers are working to resolve those issues.
The witnesses urged the committee to align any CTE governance changes with ongoing education and funding reforms led by the Education and Ways and Means committees, to model scenarios, engage stakeholders and allow time to avoid unintended consequences. No formal votes or directives were recorded during the hearing.
The committee heard detailed operational and program-level concerns but took no formal action; BTC representatives said they are available to provide further data as the legislature considers CTE governance options.
Tom Flanagan, superintendent of the Burlington School District, and Jason Reid, director of Burlington Technical Center (BTC), urged the committee to center equity and access while preserving local flexibility and strong relationships with sending high schools and regional employers.
Flanagan said BTC supports "working to make CTE an accessible and important aspect of Vermont students' education, and we agree that equity and access must be at the heart of any changes to the system." He warned that "a single centralized governance model risks weakening the community connections that are so vital to CTE success," and recommended encouraging regional collaboration rather than imposing a statewide, one-size-fits-all model.
BTC officials described the center as a half-day program governed by the Burlington School District with long-standing program advisory committees and a regional advisory board that includes industry, higher education and district partners. Reid said BTC is monitored through the Agency of Education's required reviews and that the center's performance data is meeting or exceeding state targets.
Officials highlighted several practical barriers that, they said, any governance reform must address: transportation funding, differing graduation-credit requirements among sending high schools, and the administrative complexity of operating programs across multiple sites. Flanagan and Reid told the committee BTC currently pays rent for three facilities and that Burlington School District has absorbed costs to keep tuition to sending districts manageable; those costs have begun to be redistributed through tuition to sending districts.
Reid described the learning advantages of site proximity to industry, citing BTC's aviation maintenance program at the airport. "I had seniors in high school doing run ups on real aircraft," Reid said, noting the program is the state's only FAA-certified aircraft maintenance school and draws students from outside Chittenden County. He also said the airport location offers direct exposure to advanced manufacturing and other employers that enrich students' career planning.
Committee members asked about enrollment, scheduling and competition with other centers. BTC reported current enrollment of about 240 high-school students (not including daytime adult learners) and said adult enrollment in the full-day aviation program is roughly eight to 10 students. Officials said some programs are oversubscribed while others are underenrolled; waitlists exist in popular programs and space or staffing constraints limit expansion in fields such as health care.
Flanagan and Reid told the panel that dual-enrollment college credits embedded in many CTE programs have increased students' postsecondary participation. They also said a recent prohibition on early-college enrollment has contributed to lost senior-year seats and enrollment challenges for BTC.
On facilities, BTC said the Burlington High School-BTC consolidated building project is on track for an August 2026 start. The airport renovation timeline is more uncertain after an initial Act 250 permitting delay and additional challenges meeting federal Build America, Buy America sourcing requirements; BTC officials said contractors and project managers are working to resolve those issues.
The witnesses urged the committee to align any CTE governance changes with ongoing education and funding reforms led by the Education and Ways and Means committees, to model scenarios, engage stakeholders and allow time to avoid unintended consequences. No formal votes or directives were recorded during the hearing.
The committee heard detailed operational and program-level concerns but took no formal action; BTC representatives said they are available to provide further data as the legislature considers CTE governance options.
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