Officials celebrate groundbreaking of new Career Technical Ed Center

Dozens of community members — including officials with Lake Pend Oreille School District — gathered June 9 at Sandpoint High School to break ground on the Career Technical Education Center of North Idaho. The center is intended to serve students throughout the area with training geared toward entering the workforce ó a specific goal of Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. With support from a $3.5 million Idaho Career Ready Students grant, the center is planned to include upward of 13 programs, ranging from aerospace engineering and mechanics, to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, autobody and more.

According to one district official, an official opening is anticipated in the fall of 2026.

— Words by Reader Staff, photo courtesy Darren Svan, LPOSD