TEA Meeting December 19, 2024

The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) held a Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) meeting on December 19, 2024, primarily focusing on updates and initiatives related to technical and community colleges across the state. Key procurement-related discussions included grant opportunities such as the FRAME grant program offering $2 million to support construction trades programs, with awards ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. Several colleges reported on capital improvement projects, including new building constructions and lab expansions, such as the $75 million Health and Wellness Center at Kansas City Kansas Community College and technical lab upgrades at various institutions. The meeting also covered Perkins Grant performance incentives, with institutions receiving funding for meeting core indicators, which can be used for equipment, staffing, and other approved expenses. Additionally, the board discussed systemwide general education implementation and math pathways reforms aimed at improving transferability and degree completion, which may influence future curriculum and resource procurement. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were detailed, but multiple references to grant funding and capital projects indicate ongoing procurement activities within the technical education sector in Kansas.