NEW ULM — The Economic Development Authority Board received an update Tuesday on the first year operation of the Career Technical Education Center.

The EDA donated $125,000 to the CTE Center to start the program. District 88 Superintendent Jeff Bertrang gave a report back to the EDA at a meeting this week.

Bertrang said that last year more than 160 students took advanced courses at the CTE Center. These classes were a combination of advanced welding, manufacturing/fabrication, advanced gas engine, ATV repair, advanced cabinetry and Eagle Enterprise.

This year there will be 70 students in the first semester with similar courses and more than 70 students in the second semester.

Bertrang said the plan was to open the center up to other schools in the second year, so there will be Minnesota Valley Lutheran students in CTE classes this year. The pending challenge is working out a busing system that works with both school’s schedules.

In the third year next year, the district plans to offer community-based instruction with evening and weekend classes.

“We’re on track for a three-year plan,” Bertrang said. “We’re pleasantly surprised with the number of kids taking classes down there.”

Bertrang said the students taking courses at the CTE last year were juniors and seniors taking advanced courses, but basic classes are still offered at the high school.

Many of the students taking classes at the CTE were able to take on a local or regional job in the trade field or prepare to attend technical college.

Bertrang said the biggest challenge so far has been finding licensed teachers. The school is looking for partnerships with the local manufacturing sector for assistance. There is also potential to expand class offerings based on partnerships.

“This is turning into a long-term asset for our community,” EDA chairman Dan Braam said. “I would hope as needs arise that we would continue to keep an open mind for future participation and offer assistance for this because I think is exactly the thing our community has a great need for.”