Charlotte County Public Schools Secures Full Funding for 2026 Legislative Priorities for Third Consecutive Year

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Charlotte County Public Schools has secured full funding for both of its 2026 legislative appropriation requests after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's 2026-27 state budget, marking the third consecutive year the district has received full funding for its legislative priorities.

The state approved a total of $2.275 million to expand workforce education programs that prepare students and residents for high-demand careers while supporting the region's growing economy. The largest appropriation, $1.5 million, will fund the construction of a state-of-the-art welding training facility at the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, currently under development within Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park. The project is a partnership between Charlotte County Public Schools, the Charlotte County Economic Development Office and Space Florida and is designed to expand advanced manufacturing training while supporting business recruitment and workforce development across Southwest Florida.

An additional $775,000 will establish a Water Management Program at Lemon Bay High School. The program will prepare students for careers in utilities, water resource management and related infrastructure fields, helping meet the increasing demand for skilled workers in essential public service industries.

"Receiving full funding for our legislative priorities for the third straight year reflects the confidence our state leaders have in the work happening in Charlotte County," Superintendent Mark Vianello said. "These investments will create meaningful opportunities for our students while strengthening the workforce that supports our local businesses and economy."

Charlotte County Public Schools extends its sincere appreciation to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton, Rep. Vanessa Oliver and Rep. Danny Nix for their leadership and support of these appropriations. The district also thanks the Charlotte County legislative delegation and its community partners for their continued commitment to expanding workforce education opportunities and strengthening the local economy.

Together, the two initiatives will expand career pathways for students, provide industry-recognized training and help ensure employers have access to a highly skilled workforce equipped to meet current and future labor demands.

Construction of the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center is scheduled for completion before the 2027-28 school year. The new welding facility and the Water Management Program will further expand Charlotte County Public Schools' growing portfolio of career and technical education programs aligned with regional workforce needs.

2024: $1.5 million for the Charlotte High School Aviation Hangar, sponsored by Rep. Michael Grant.

2025: $1.75 million for the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, sponsored by Rep. Vanessa Oliver.

$1.5 million for a Welding Training Facility at the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, sponsored by Rep. Vanessa Oliver.

$775,000 for a Water Management Program at Lemon Bay High School, sponsored by Rep. Danny Nix.