New Career And Technical Education School Coming To Paramus

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A technical education school that aims to bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary plans is coming to Paramus, thanks in large part to a grant from the state department of education.

Bergen County Technical School District's future Career and Technical Education (CTE) School will provide a "versatile curriculum" to prepare students for their post-high school plans, officials said in an announcement.

It will offer programs tailored to address shortages in the fabrication and design, logistics and dental services industries by focusing on the employability and technical skills used in those occupations, officials said.

Construction of the school will be funded by a "Securing Our Children's Future" grant that the New Jersey Department of Education awarded to the Bergen County Technical School District.

That grant will fund 75 percent of the project, or $25,875,000, officials said, while the county will provide the remaining 25 percent, or $8,625,000.

"The Board of Education and school administration are grateful to all the county officials for supporting the addition of three new programs, which will allow BCTS to meet the increased demand for CTE programs by county residents," said Dr. Howard Lerner, superintendent of the Bergen County Technical School District.

County Executive Jim Tedesco said the school will prepare its students to be competitive in a 21st-century workforce by giving them the skills needed to pursue postsecondary technical education, apprenticeship programs, or immediate entry into the workforce.

"This investment in Career and Technical Education expands our already stellar County Technical School District and furthers their mission of preparing our students to actively participate in a global community," Tedesco said.