CFBISD celebrated the renovation of R. L. Turner High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) area, the R. L. Turner Pridelands, on Nov. 18, 2021, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

During the ceremony, the building’s official dedication plaque was revealed before the CFBISD Board of Trustees cut the ribbon.

Also in attendance were CTE students and teachers, the CFB Bond Oversight Committee, mayors and city officials, Chamber of Commerce members, district administrators, and community members.

After the ribbon cutting, National Honor Society students led attendees on tours of the renovated facilities while CTE students performed demonstrations in their different Programs of Study.   

The renovations were part of the 2018 voter-approved bond and included creating areas that could replicate real life industry experiences, collaboration spaces, and a courtyard that provides students an area to connect.

In the spring of 2020, a CTE Task Force was formed and set out to improve the district's career and technical education programs. This task force worked over the last two years to refine each high school campus’s CTE identity through the alignment of courses into clear pathways, along with the development of beautiful, new, and highly functional CTE classrooms.

“By creating pathways with clear course sequences, leading to certifications and other post-secondary credentials, we will graduate students who are even more prepared for life after high school,” said Dr. John Chapman, CFB Superintendent. “This alignment surrounds students with skilled instructors who will help them build a network of industry partners through internships, competitions, advisory boards, and career and technical student organizations.  These facility improvements will be the cornerstone of the CTE program, helping ensure the success of the programming taught to students.”