Rapides Parish Schools is moving forward with a new Career and Technical Education building at Buckeye High School.
The Rapides Parish School Board approved the project during its February 2026 meeting. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.
The new facility will expand career training opportunities for students preparing to enter Central Louisiana’s workforce. Programs will focus on fields where local employers are actively hiring.
Those areas include HVAC operations and sheet metal fabrication.
Superintendent Jeff Powell said the district wants students prepared for well-paying jobs without having to leave Rapides Parish.
“We want students to have the opportunity to have a high-paying job that’s in high demand,” Powell said. He added that students should have opportunities to remain in Rapides Parish.
The building will also give students opportunities to earn industry-based credentials before graduating.
For example, HVAC students can take dual-enrollment courses and earn foundational safety credentials. They can also prepare for the federal EPA Section 608 refrigerant handling certification.
As a result, students could move directly from graduation into apprenticeships, additional training, or employment.
School Board President Mark Dryden represents District C and graduated from Buckeye High School. He said the project carries personal significance.
“This has been a project that is close to me because I know it will benefit many students,” Dryden said.
Local partners ACA and Foster Construction also helped advance the project.
According to the district, ACA made a significant investment that will support construction and work-based learning opportunities.
Those partnerships could also connect classroom instruction with job sites where students may eventually work. Additionally, employers can help the district identify skills needed in the local workforce.
State Representative Mike Johnson attended the groundbreaking event. He highlighted the importance of career and technical education funding for student success.
Ultimately, the project connects education with workforce development. Students can graduate with credentials while local employers gain access to trained workers.
The district expects students to begin using the new facility after construction concludes in early 2027.
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