Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel Break Ground on New Career Technical Center at Bryan Middle/High School
 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel joined Bryan Middle/High School students for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction on an all-new career technical center at Bryan Middle/High School.
(BRYAN, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel took part in a groundbreaking ceremony today to celebrate the beginning of construction on an all-new career technical center at Bryan Middle/High School in Williams County.
Supported by a $2.5 million Career Technical Education Equipment Grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), the center marks the latest success story in the administration’s work to expand access to career technical education so more Ohio students can develop the skills they need to land a great job after graduation.
“Our career tech centers offer so much value to our communities. They help train and develop our young people with the skills they need to land the many in-demand jobs available in Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “This new center here at Bryan Middle/High School will give students their choice of technical instruction, and we are confident that this instruction will position them for success in Ohio’s job market.”
 Governor DeWine spoke at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony at Bryan Middle/High School.
Thanks to the state’s targeted work to attract economic development projects into local communities, Ohio has added more than 81,000 private sector jobs under Governor DeWine’s leadership, and another 15,000 jobs are coming to Ohio through projects that are currently in development.
To ensure Ohio’s next generation of job-seekers are prepared to seize this historic opportunity, Governor DeWine announced in his State of the State Address earlier this month that Lt. Governor Tressel would lead the administration’s effort to create Ohio’s Workforce Playbook – a plan developed in consultation with education, business, and community leaders to identify regional workforce needs and to create pathways for students to get the training and the education they need to fill in-demand jobs in their area.
“This new building we are breaking ground on today aligns perfectly with the goals of Ohio’s Workforce Playbook. It will allow students from Bryan to take career tech classes right here on their home turf, and it will create the opportunity for more students to learn on the equipment that our businesses are using right now,” said Lt. Governor Tressel “We are investing in our students’ future, and this new space will benefit generations to come.”
 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel joined administrators from Bryan City School District, as well as local business and community leaders from northwest Ohio, for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction on an all-new career technical center at Bryan Middle/High School.
The new facility will allow Bryan City Schools (BCS) to increase their emphasis on the vocational arts. The career technical center, which will be directly connected to the Middle/High School, will offer classes that teach the foundational skills of design and production with woods and metals. It will also offer courses in engineering, precision machining, computer aided design (CAD), electrical, plumbing, and robotics.
 Rendering of new career technical center at Bryan Middle/High School.
“This is a proud day for everyone in Bryan City Schools and underscores the importance of giving more students access to career and technical education programs,” said Jeremy B. Varner, DEW Deputy Director leading the Division of Career Technical Education and Workforce. “Part of the reason this is so exciting is that the new center will be directly attached to the existing school building. We find this strengthens the learning community and provides many advantages for students to elevate their knowledge, skills, and workforce preparedness.”
The new facility comes as the demand for career technical education in Ohio continues to increase. Over the past four years, the state has seen a 10% growth in the number of students participating in career tech – that’s over 13,000 more students than in 2021.
BCS is collaborating with its nearby Joint Vocational School District – Four County Career Center – to designate the new facility as a “satellite” location for the Career Center. This will allow Four County Career Center staff to help teach courses at the Bryan facility, oversee career pathways and credentialing, and supplement learning equipment and resources for students. Historically, due to limited space, Four County Career Center has had to turn away as many as 150 students per year. The new center at Bryan Middle/High School is expected to help provide more opportunities for students across the region who are interested in career technical education.
“We could not be more excited for the educational opportunities this new facility space will provide for our student body,” said BCS Superintendent Mark Rairigh. “The support for technical training, both locally and statewide, fully aligns with our goal to prepare students for the growing workforce in Ohio. We are beyond thankful for these grant funds, that will enhance the career-focused experiences and facility space for our students.”
Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 2026. The career technical center will open to students beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
To address gym space needs and indoor athletic training opportunities for student-athletes, BCS is also including the addition of an auxiliary gym and weight room, separately funded with BCS monies, as part of the construction project that will be underway for the career technical center.
The auxiliary gym will host middle school athletic events, as well as training and practices at both the middle school and high school levels. It will also host competitions for the many youth programs in the community that feed into Bryan Middle/High School athletics.
 Rendering of new auxiliary gym at Bryan Middle/High School.
The addition of a new weight room facility will allow for the school to offer space for student-athletes to train, while simultaneously offering daily strength and conditioning classes for students.
“I know the Lt. Governor is excited about the new gymnasium component of this project, as well, since it corresponds with his interest in encouraging physical fitness in Ohio,” said Governor DeWine.
“This new space for physical education programs, athletics events, and community events will provide a place where students can grow, challenge themselves, and build lifelong memories,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “These expansions will all help more kids in this community thrive in school and all throughout their lives.”
 Rendering of new career technical center at Bryan Middle/High School.
Additional Media Contact:
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Lacey Snoke, Chief Communications Officer
614-995-1855
Lacey.Snoke@education.ohio.gov
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