New CTC at Riley Elementary

The Board of Education has approved a major new investment in student success: the former Riley Elementary School will be transformed into an expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center.

A Big Win for Students and the Community

This exciting project is a major step forward in preparing students for high-demand careers and real-world opportunities. Over the next few years, the Riley site will become a dynamic hub for hands-on learning, offering more classes, which are desperately needed, and new CTE programs, including:

• welding and fire science,
• robotics and drone operation,
• virtual broadcasting,
• construction trades, and
• HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work.

By creating the new CTE, the district is ensuring that more students from across Salt Lake City have access to high-quality career training, regardless of which high school they attend.

Smart Use of Resources

Turning the unused Riley Elementary building into a state-of-the-art CTE center is a smart, cost-effective move. It avoids duplicating expensive equipment and specialized staff at every school and allows the district to offer a wider variety of programs (see below for an example of classes that will be available at our high schools and classes that will be available at the CTC).

The project will not take money out of our classrooms. It will be funded in phases, through a combination of CTE money, state grants, and private donations.

Supporting Student Success

Transportation and scheduling will be carefully planned to ensure students can attend the center without disrupting their school day. Options like longer class blocks and coordinated bussing will help maximize learning time and convenience.