MISSION

Impact lives and advance economic development through innovative career and technical education.

VISION

Pima JTED is nationally acclaimed for innovative career and technical education systems, people and programs that empower students to lead in careers, colleges and life. The district is a key economic development driver of a thriving Southern Arizona.

EMPOWERING EVERY STUDENT FOR A FUTURE OF PURPOSE AND POSSIBILITY

At Pima JTED, we believe every student deserves access to an educational experience that inspires, equips, and prepares them for a thriving future. Our new five-year strategic plan is a bold commitment to ensuring that all public, private, homeschool, and charter students across our service delivery area have access to high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs that align with their passions and lead to real-world opportunities.

Pima JTED’s five-year strategic vision is to empower every student with high-quality career and technical education through innovative programs, strong partnerships, a thriving culture, and data-driven growth strategies.

This plan is centered on six strategic priorities that reflect our deep commitment to students’ success – academically, professionally, and personally. From expanding access to student-centered programs and personalized career guidance, to creating innovative delivery models and deepening partnerships with member districts, industry leaders, and postsecondary institutions, we are strengthening an already vibrant ecosystem where students can continue to thrive.

We are investing in data-informed strategies to strengthen outcomes, streamline operations, and expand and steward resources responsibly – ensuring that every dollar supports the success of students and the growth of high-demand educational and career pathways. At the heart of this work is our dedicated staff. We are committed to attracting and retaining exceptional educators and support professionals by fostering a culture of growth, purpose, and belonging.

Through consistent, transparent, and responsive communication, we will share our progress, celebrate our students’ successes, and remain deeply connected to the communities we serve.

This strategic plan represents more than goals – it reflects our vision: a future where every student in the Pima JTED district has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, achieve meaningful credentials, and enter high-wage, high-skill careers that strengthen our region. Together, we are transforming education and building the workforce of tomorrow.

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

The Pima JTED developed this 5-year strategic plan between January and June 2025 in partnership with our community and with counsel from Alexander|Carrillo Consulting.

Creation of this plan has been driven by the input and ideas received from students, parents, community partners, member districts, and our staff and Governing Board. We’re grateful for the participation dedicated by every individual to the process through focus groups, interviews, surveys, and workgroups.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1:

CHAMPION

Equipping Students for Success

Our vision is for all students to have access to high quality career and technical education opportunities, whether they attend one of Pima JTED’s central campuses or programs at member district high schools across southeastern Arizona’s urban and rural communities. Input from our community reinforced the need to continue putting creative solutions in place to make quality CTE programs available to all students, working in partnership with our member districts. Expanding and optimizing use of Pima JTED’s physical assets is key to meeting increasing demand and reducing waiting lists for career and technical education.

Goal 1.1

All students will have access to high-quality career and technical education of their choice

Goal 1.2

Help students navigate their optimal career and education pathways

Goal 1.3

Improve planning and partnerships with member districts to ensure the best possible student outcomes

Goal 1.4

Explore and implement delivery models to meet student demand

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2:

COLLABORATE

Nurture Partnerships that Work

We envision an effective ecosystem of changemaking school-to-work pathways for high demand industry sectors in our community. We plan to work even more closely with industry partners to make data-driven decisions about the programs we offer, ensuring alignment between what interests students and where quality career opportunities lie in southeastern Arizona and beyond. Working with our partners in education and industry, we will create opportunities for deep student engagement and meaningful support to promote their success.

Goal 2.1

Have data partnerships, agreements and strategies that allow JTED and partners to track and respond to student outcomes

Goal 2.2

Build and implement a refreshed menu of layered engagement between targeted high-demand industries and interested students

Goal 2.3

Build and implement a refreshed menu of transition supports between targeted post-secondary programs and interested students

Goal 2.4

Strengthen relationships with student support serving organizations and entities in the community

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3:

STEWARD

Prioritize Data Driven Fiscal Responsibility

We have aligned our fiscal goals to provide the critical financial support that will make implementing this strategic plan possible. Our plans include collaborating closely with member districts to gain a deeper understanding of their unique needs and how Pima JTED can better support them. In keeping with our directive to make high quality CTE programs available to all students, we plan to fundraise to optimize and grow facilities, access, variety, and excellence across JTED’s central campuses and our member school districts.

Goal 3.1

Fiscal arrangements that ensure positive student outcomes

Goal 3.2

Seek additional funding to enhance all career and technical education programs

Goal 3.3

Run the district efficiently to maximize resources

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4:

OPTIMIZE

Enhance Infrastructure and Processes

We envision clear systems, processes, and physical infrastructure that support staff across campuses and partner organizations, enabling us to work together efficiently with student success as our shared goal. As Pima JTED continues to expand to meet the community’s growing need for excellent career and technical education, we recognize that both our infrastructure and the processes that support our daily work must align with and sustain that growth.

Goal 4.1

Ensure expectations and guidelines for internal processes are clear to provide better efficiency and clarity

Goal 4.2

Ensure expectations and guidelines for external processes are clear to provide better efficiency and clarity

Goal 4.3

Ensure infrastructure for evaluating needs for current students, programs, incoming students, and future programs to allow for student and program success

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 5:

THRIVE

Ignite Staff Recruitment by Attracting, Engaging,
and Supporting Exceptional Talent

Feedback from our community reinforced what we already knew – that there exists a strong need to address challenges in retaining a quality CTE workforce. We will focus on raising and dedicating resources that will help us work in partnership to build and retain a pool of qualified educators, administrators, and other team members to support JTED career and technical education programs within our central campuses and member districts.

Goal 5.1

Build a competitive staff pool to ensure all positions have high quality staff for all Pima JTED Career Technical and Education Central and Satellite staffing needs

Goal 5.2

Secure sustainable funding to offer competitive compensation and implement efficient staffing models for both central and satellite campuses

Goal 5.3

Encourage a growth culture to retain, engage, and connect staff with a sense of purpose

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 6:

ENGAGE

Communicate Consistently, Responsively, and Transparently

We clearly heard from partners, parents, students, and staff that we needed a plan for better communication and more transparency. Our vision is to establish a consistent, responsive, and transparent communication system that supports internal collaboration, strengthens relationships with external partners, and ensures the community is informed and engaged in the success of CTE students and programs across our district. We are committed to ensuring pathways for two-way communication with our partners, to making sure our staff receive timely and consistent information, and to giving parents and students the information they need to make good decisions for future success.

Goal 6.1

Establish a district-wide framework of consistent, efficient, and accountable internal communication practices to promote clarity, collaboration, and shared understanding across all staff and sites

Goal 6.2

Implement a coordinated system of external communication to inform, engage, and build strong relationships with families, member districts, business and industry, and postsecondary partners

Goal 6.3

Increase public awareness and community connection by consistently sharing stories of student success, program excellence, and district impact to promote enrollment, partnerships, and trust in JTED’s mission

WITH THANKS TO

STRATEGIC PLANNING STEERING COMMITTEE

We are especially thankful to the members of our Strategic Planning Steering Committee, who enriched this process with their insight and expertise. 

Jennifer Atteberry-Pierpont, Director of Operations, School Safety & CTE Program Assurance, Pima JTED
Curt Bertelsen, Director of Professional Development, Pima JTED
Anne-Marie Braswell, Community Relations Manager, Northwest Fire District
Greg D’Anna, Director of Public Relations, Pima JTED
Daniela Gallagher, Vice President of Economic Development, The Chamber of Southern Arizona
Patricia Greenleaf, Chief Academic Officer, Pima JTED
Merrill Kemp-Wilcox, Director of Research & Development, Pima JTED
Ashley Lown, Potoff Private Philanthropy Endowed Chair, Engagement & Placement Coordinator, Pima JTED
Hasary Maldonado, Attendance Clerk, Pima JTED
Joanna Fontes, CVT, Veterinary Assisting Program Manager, Pima JTED
Charles McCollum, CTE Director, Tucson Unified School District
Kimberly McCroy, Professional Development Specialist, Pima JTED
Kenneth McGovern, Chief Financial Officer, Pima JTED
Tina Norton, Special Projects, Pima JTED
Kathy Prather, Superintendent/CEO, Pima JTED
Robert Schlanger, Chairman, Pima JTED Governing Board
Amanda Simeza, Director of Student Services, Pima JTED
Cathy Smith, Apprenticeship/ Training Coordinator, Sun Mechanical
Julia Strange, Vice President of Community Benefit, Tucson Medical Center
Gregory Wilson, Dean of Applied Technology, Pima Community College

JTED GOVERNING BOARD

Robert Schlanger, Chairman of the Board
Brenda Marietti, Board Clerk
Alex Jácome, Board Member
Wayne Peate, MD, Board Member
Cindy Rankin, PhD, Board Member

SUPERINTENDENT/CEO

Kathy Prather