Kane County School District has been awarded $404,868 through the Utah State Board of Education’s Catalyst Center competitive grant process, which invited applications from districts and charter schools across the entire state. The Catalyst Initiative is designed to expand high‑quality career pathways, strengthen partnerships with industry and higher education, and align K–12 learning with Utah’s workforce needs.
This year, USBE received 35 applications requesting more than $200 million in funding, demonstrating strong statewide demand for innovative, career‑focused programs Funded programs span high‑demand fields such as health sciences, IT, construction, aviation, agriculture, digital media, machining, hospitality, business, and wildland firefighting.
With this funding, Kane County School District will expand educational opportunities that directly connect students to industry‑recognized training and employment. Beginning next year, high school students will have the opportunity to enroll in specialized courses taught in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and Southwest Technical College.
- BLM Career Pathway: Students interested in land management careers will be able to take courses such as GIS, fire management, and resource monitoring. These classes are designed to prepare students for future employment opportunities with federal land agencies and related partners.
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Pathway: Students will receive hands‑on training in electrical systems from a licensed electrician employed by Best Friends. Completion of this coursework will qualify students to apply for positions within the sanctuary’s maintenance department.
- Southwest Technical College – Pharmacy Technician Program: The district will purchase the laboratory equipment required to offer the accredited Pharmacy Technician program through Southwest Technical College at Kanab and Valley High School. This will allow students to earn industry‑recognized credentials while still in high school.
Kane County School District is proud to be among the 13 districts and charters that received the Catalyst Center Grant in this competitive statewide award and looks forward to offering these expanded opportunities to students beginning next school year.
We would like to thank our community partners, including BLM, Best Friends, and Southwest Technical College. Our collaborative partnerships will provide our students with expanded training and development opportunities, in turn leading to higher-paying jobs when they graduate from our high schools. As a district, we are looking forward to implementing these additional programs into our high school schedules
