WAYNE and PIKE COUNTIES, PA — The Wallenpaupack Area School District (WASD) has been granted $37.95 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the district's Career and Technical Center (CTC) project.

The Wayne and Pike CTC will serve as a dedicated center for Wallenpaupack’s already-existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which aim to educate students on different career fields outside of regular classes. The CTE courses cover career fields like aviation, EMTs, sports medicine and more. 

Wayne and Pike counties are the only counties in Pennsylvania without a dedicated CTC building. The $37 million will serve as a long-term low interest loan for the project. The entire project will cost a maximum of $50 million.

During a ceremony announcing the funding on Tuesday, October 6, WASD Superintendent Keith Gunuskey thanked USDA members, federal representative Rob Bresnahan and state representative Jeff Olsommer for their support in the CTC project. In attendance were also two students who currently participate in CTE programs.

“Thank you for reminding us why this project matters,” Gunuskey said about the students. “This center is being built for you.”

WASD superintendent Keith Gunuskey thanks parents for attending the announcement ceremony.

RR photo by Sonia Ahmed

Gunuskey explained that the CTC would strengthen the region's future workforce by giving students various career opportunities.

“Our responsibility as educators is not to prescribe one path for every student,” he said.

Glen Smith, USDA’s under secretary, said that he has been part of the USDA for 35 days now, and that helping fund the CTC was his biggest accomplishment so far.

Smith stated that the funding would play a big role in allowing the project to move forward.

“A facility like this, it’s pretty hard to ask the local taxpayers to support it completely, right?” he said. “What we’ve done with our commitment here, 37.95 million dollars, is put it on a low subsidized interest loan for the duration of that facility.”

Smith added that the CTC would positively impact the community.

“Think what those students are gonna feel like as they walk in that door,” he continued. “And the parents, the pride they have. That should be pride, because these are students who are directed to your local area, and are a tribute to your local region.” 

PA-08 Rep. Bresnahan said he was pleasantly surprised to see Wallenpaupack Area High School's improvements to their library since his last visit in March, where his office granted $3 million in funding to the CTC project.

RR photo by Sonia Ahmed

Bresnahan took to the stage to commend Gunuskey on his persistence and hard work in pursuing the project and improving the school district. Bresnahan previously visited WASD to announce  a $3 million grant of federal funding for the CTC project. 

“The first thing I said to Dr. Gunuskey was ‘What happened to this room? Floors are different. Planking is different. There used to be a wall,'” Bresnahan said, referring to the Wallenpaupack Area High School’s library.

Bresnahan added that Gunuskey also testified in front of the House of Representatives small business committee highlighting the importance of CTE programs, which demonstrated his persistence in getting a new CTC building built.

A representative for Senator Dave McCormick, Nathan Gerace, spoke about the importance of the facility for Pennsylvania’s future.

“Pennsylvania is projected to need 300,000 additional skilled workers in the years ahead, and facilities like this one are how we close that gap,” Gerace said. “Senator McCormick has said time and time again [that] we need to put the same respect and resources behind skill trade that we put behind four-year degrees, and this center will prepare young people so they can build strong futures right here in Pennsylvania.”

Pike County vice chairman commissioner Ronald Schmazle commented that although the CTC would be in Wayne County, it would be incredibly important for Pike County residents as well.

“Some people don’t know that the lake divides our two counties, but it also makes us one. And I don’t think that there’s any two counties that work together more than Wayne and Pike,” he said. “This is so important to our area.”

Owen Robins, a senior at Wallenpaupack Area High School and a participant in the CTE protective services program, said that the program helped him figure out his future career.

Outside of school, Robins is also a member of the Beach Lake volunteer fire department and Tusten volunteer ambulance.

“When I’m responding to the ambulance or fire department I’m actually using the things I learned in class,” Robins said, adding that the new CTC is a big deal  because “it gives us [students] a chance to find something you’re interested in and actually do it.”

Gunuskey said the next step for this project would be to start the building's bidding process. The new facility is planned to welcome students during the 2028-2029 school year.