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The Senate unanimously voted Wednesday to approve an Iowa career-technical education professional as the first deputy director over career-technical education at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), a position established as part of the K-12 governance overhaul enacted in the biennial budget. In addition to moving much authority over K-12 policy implementation from the State Board of Education to the governor’s cabinet, HB33 (Edwards) created two Senate-confirmed deputy director positions over K-12 education and career-technical education. About a month ago, DEW Director Steve Dackin recommended the appointment of Jeremy Varner as the first deputy director for the DEW Division of Career-Technical Education and Workforce. Varner testified earlier Wednesday to the Senate Education Committee, which approved forwarding his nomination to the full body. Varner described his 19-year stint overseeing career-technical programs at the Iowa Department of Education, saying it involved a budget of $250 million including numerous state and federal grant programs. He discussed efforts there to expand career exploration and planning in high school and to create guided pathways to help students choose and complete post-secondary programs aligned to their career goals. Varner said the principles of his career have been understanding that everyone has an interest in making sure students are skilled and competitive; that strong relationships and partnerships are the basis of effective change; and the need to constantly evaluate data to inform practices and improve policy. He said his conversations with Dackin indicate they share these principles. Senate Education Committee members did not pose any questions to Varner. The Ohio Association of Career-Technical Superintendents (OACTS) issued a statement welcoming the confirmation. “OACTS and its 49 career center superintendents congratulate Jeremy B. Varner on his unanimous Senate confirmation to serve as DEW’s deputy director of the Division of Career-Technical Education.We welcome him to the Buckeye State and look forward to working together to advance Ohio’s strong CTE infrastructure, which offers all students so many opportunities to prepare for careers, earn industry credentials, develop skills and pursue postsecondary education.Deputy Director Varner's appointment provides another opportunity to further strengthen and expand Ohio’s career centers for students in every region of the state -- preparing them for success in the workforce and beyond.Together we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students -- as well as Ohio’s economic future -- by focusing on investments in meaningful CTE programs that align well with the skills and knowledge high school and adult students need to excel in their chosen careers. We remain excited about the months and years ahead.” Story originally published in The Hannah Report on June 12, 2024. Copyright 2024 Hannah News Service, Inc.
The Senate unanimously voted Wednesday to approve an Iowa career-technical education professional as the first deputy director over career-technical education at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), a position established as part of the K-12 governance overhaul enacted in the biennial budget.
In addition to moving much authority over K-12 policy implementation from the State Board of Education to the governor’s cabinet, HB33 (Edwards) created two Senate-confirmed deputy director positions over K-12 education and career-technical education. About a month ago, DEW Director Steve Dackin recommended the appointment of Jeremy Varner as the first deputy director for the DEW Division of Career-Technical Education and Workforce.
Varner testified earlier Wednesday to the Senate Education Committee, which approved forwarding his nomination to the full body.
Varner described his 19-year stint overseeing career-technical programs at the Iowa Department of Education, saying it involved a budget of $250 million including numerous state and federal grant programs. He discussed efforts there to expand career exploration and planning in high school and to create guided pathways to help students choose and complete post-secondary programs aligned to their career goals.
Varner said the principles of his career have been understanding that everyone has an interest in making sure students are skilled and competitive; that strong relationships and partnerships are the basis of effective change; and the need to constantly evaluate data to inform practices and improve policy. He said his conversations with Dackin indicate they share these principles.
Senate Education Committee members did not pose any questions to Varner.
The Ohio Association of Career-Technical Superintendents (OACTS) issued a statement welcoming the confirmation. “OACTS and its 49 career center superintendents congratulate Jeremy B. Varner on his unanimous Senate confirmation to serve as DEW’s deputy director of the Division of Career-Technical Education.We welcome him to the Buckeye State and look forward to working together to advance Ohio’s strong CTE infrastructure, which offers all students so many opportunities to prepare for careers, earn industry credentials, develop skills and pursue postsecondary education.Deputy Director Varner's appointment provides another opportunity to further strengthen and expand Ohio’s career centers for students in every region of the state -- preparing them for success in the workforce and beyond.Together we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students -- as well as Ohio’s economic future -- by focusing on investments in meaningful CTE programs that align well with the skills and knowledge high school and adult students need to excel in their chosen careers. We remain excited about the months and years ahead.”