Central Vermont Career Center
Re-Envisioning Updates
Top 10 Questions About the CVCCSD Facilities Project
1. Why not just renovate Spaulding High School?
Renovation proved unworkable: lab spaces require higher ceilings and larger footprints than exist at Spaulding; a parking garage would have been necessary; and the site is located in a flood zone and has yet to be tested for potential PCB concerns.
2. How many students will the new center serve?
The current enrollment stands at approximately 216 students. The new facility will serve 450–500 students, doubling access to programs.
3. What programs will be offered?
In addition to existing trades and health programs, CVCC plans to introduce Advanced Manufacturing, Cybersecurity/IT, Diesel Technology, Animal Science, Human Services, and more.
4. How much will the project cost?
The projected construction cost is $149 million, including contingencies.
5. Who pays for it?
The bond will be shared across the 18 towns in the CVCCSD and any school district sending students to the center. Tuition from sending schools will continue to be the main funding mechanism until the legislature changes CTE funding.
6. What will be the impact on my taxes?
A 30-year bond would require average annual repayment of about $9.4 million. Exact town-by-town impacts have been prepared, but projections are based on FY26 rates and enrollment.
7. How will this benefit the community?
Expanding access to high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) in our region is a cost-effective strategy for strengthening outcomes for our students, especially those from historically marginalized populations. By offering diverse career pathways, we can increase high school graduation rates and boost early-career earnings, which in turn strengthens central Vermont's job force in high-need areas. This expansion represents a sound public investment, as the lifetime public benefits—including increased tax revenue and reduced social costs—are likely to exceed the additional educational costs. Furthermore, by preparing students for direct entry into well-paying local jobs, we can help build our tax base and potentially lower the average age of our community, all while providing a vital hub for industry training for both students and adults.
8. How will traffic and neighborhood impacts be handled?
Traffic studies indicate that approximately 230 cars enter and 108 cars exit during the peak morning hours. Site design includes buffers, tree lines, and lighting controls to limit neighborhood disruption.
9. Why not wait for the state to change how facilities are funded?
State reform is uncertain and may not happen for years. Student demand is already greater than CVCC can serve, so waiting risks losing this opportunity.
10. Has demand for CTE programs really been studied?
Yes. Every two years, CVCC conducts a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) using labor market data. Vermont faces a high demand for trades, healthcare, and technical fields that CTE programs directly address.
