The Peru Gazette

L-R Peru School Board President Bonnie Berry, tour guide Peru High School Senior Alexis Burdo, and Peru Superintendent Scott Storms. 102 Peru students participate in the CV-TEC programs

PLATTSBURGH, NY, October 26, 2026 – Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) and CV-TEC celebrated the grand opening of the new CV-TEC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. CV-TEC’s welding students created the ceremonial ribbon from metal and, instead of using traditional scissors, used a plasma cutter to cut it.

The state-of-the-art facility expands opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, develop technical and employability skills, and explore careers in high-demand fields. Currently, over 900 Clinton County students participate in CV-TEC programs. Collaboration between CVES’ 16 component school districts made the new Center possible. A $3 million grant from the NYS Empire State Development Workforce Development Capital Grant Program and a $5 million NYS Department of Agriculture school food infrastructure grant supported the $59 million project. 

Richard A. Ball, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, said, “One of our top priorities at the Department is helping connect our farmers who are growing fresh, delicious, nutritious food right here in New York State with the people who need it most, which includes our students. Forging a pathway between our farms and our schools is a win for everyone, and the Regional School Food Infrastructure program does just that. I’m so proud to see the project awarded to one of the program’s first recipients come to fruition, and I congratulate the team here at CVES BOCES on their truly exceptional and inspiring work. I know the ripple effects of this new commissary kitchen and education center will impact the region and its students and families for years to come.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, CV-TEC students guided tours through the two-story, 155,000-square-foot facility and an 12,000 sq. ft. accessory building. Alexis Burdo, a Peru High School Senior, led the tour the Peru Gazette attended. She was well-prepared and did an excellent job.