CHAMPION — The Trumbull County Educational Service Center and the Trumbull Career and Technical Center are collaborating on a new drone program at the career center.

The boards of both centers met last week.

TCESC governing board met Monday and approved a construction contract with Millstone Management Group Inc. at $215,025 for the classroom buildout project at the TCTC.

Bob Marino, assistant superintendent / curriculum and instruction with TCESC, said the project involves renovating the existing ROTC space at the TCTC for the new drone and aviation program.

Grant funding has made the drone program possible, Marino said. The TCESC has received a $650,000 grant, with some to be used toward the drone program.

Marino said work will be done on the large classroom, including floor, walls and ceiling, and furniture updates and limited mechanical, electrical and technology alterations.

Students enrolled in the drone and aviation program will be able to work toward and earn licenses through the Federal Aviation Administration for flying drones.

The program is set to begin for the 2024-25 school year, with 11 juniors already signed, officials said.

There is a drone racing league with many local schools having teams that will compete this spring,

Jason Gray, superintendent at the TCTC, said, “I am thrilled with this partnership, which will really benefit everyone, especially the students of Trumbull County.”

Gray said the TCESC is active with the drone leagues in several schools.

“This program will benefit students. Aviation has a demand for employees at all levels, Drone technology is ever-growing. This program will help fill that need,” Gray said.

“It was a perfect time for a collaboration like this. The room needs to be updated this summer for the program,” Gray said.

Gray said the TCTC also is seeking Appalachian funding for an addition at the center for new industrial and manufacturing programs.

TCTC board member Thomas Hart, of the facilities committee, said several rooms are being remodeled this year for the new programs, including aviation and drones, industrial technology and digital marketing.

In other business at the TCTC board meeting, the board approved an agreement with Pierce Farms to rent 46 acres of land for harvesting purposes. The agreement begins this spring and is for one year at a fee of $500 to be paid before planting in the spring.

Have an interesting story? Contact Bob Coupland by email at bcoupland@tribtoday.com.