“Community engagement is critical to this process and our goal to develop a balanced 2025–26 school year budget that reflects our district’s mission, 4Es, and values,” Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel wrote in an Apr. 11, 2025 email to BUSD families.
BUSD has been working to balance an eight million dollar budget deficit for next year — a financial issue common amongst California schools due to state budget changes and the expiration of federal COVID–19 relief funds. Because of these budget cuts, BUSD has been forced to make difficult decisions regarding which school programs to cut funds from. While the funding for many core BUSD programs are under threat, there are resources that BUSD must prioritize. Specifically, we must ensure that the developing budget plan will protect our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.
CTE programs are resources offered to middle school and high school students within BUSD that aim to equip students with skills that prepare them for future college and career trajectories. For middle school students, CTE programs are primarily available in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) area of study, and serve as a pathway for students to excel in CTE STEM programs in high school. High school program topics include, but are not limited to, Arts, Media and Entertainment, Engineering and Design, Public Service, Health Science and Medical Technology, and more. Without adequate financial support available to these programs, STEM and career education opportunities for both BUSD middle school and high school students will be limited.
According to a 2004 study conducted by Marie Cohen and Douglas J. Besharov titled “The Important Role of Career and Technical Education: Implications for Federal Policy,” CTE programs reduce high school dropout rates, particularly among students facing a higher risk of dropping out. Additionally, some CTE programs have been shown to improve academic performance while also providing reliable employment opportunities and wage benefits in the short term. One limitation the study found was that CTE programs didn’t have a strong correlation with an increased percentage of college-bound students; however, the study suggested that this pattern is largely due to personal student choice as opposed to a failure of the CTE program.
Moreover, the Career Technical Education Framework for California Public Schools elaborated on the importance of CTE programs in our growing economy in California. Our state’s growing economic demands have led to changes in the essential knowledge and skills needed in the California workforce. CTE programs are geared towards this very goal — not only do the programs provide solid resources for students to enhance skills needed in our growing economy, but they allow students to begin development of this knowledge at early stages in their educational journeys. CTE programs thus provide extensive preparation to young students looking to contribute to our economy’s continually growing demands.
Throughout the process of distributing BUSD’s limited funds amidst budget cuts, Ford Morthel has emphasized the importance in ensuring that the voices of community individuals are heard. To contribute your thoughts and provide support for protecting CTE programs in light of BUSD’s budget cuts, contact the Superintendent and advocate for what matters to you. To learn more about the process and specifics regarding the district’s mission in balancing the budget, watch the previously streamed BUSD Budget Town Hall webinar from Thursday, April 17, 2025, that is available at BUSD's YouTube channel. Lastly, in order to familiarize yourself with the specific resources and opportunities offered to students through CTE programs, visit BUSD's webpage on CTE pathways.
As a community valuing education pathways that promote student learning and curiosity, we must all pitch in and contribute our support for CTE programs amidst efforts to balance the BUSD budget.