CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – Charlottesville schools announce a transition has begun with the city expected to keep the name CATEC — but with a slight change — when it assumes sole ownership of the center in July 2024. The current name is an acronym for Charlottesville-Albemarle Career and Technical Education Center. However, the “A” that currently stands for “Albemarle” will upon city schools ownership be changed to “Area”.

A city schools release says city Superintendent Royal Gurley is meeting regularly with Albemarle Superintendent Matt Haas about the transition, and the talks include continuity of current programming and maintaining strong relationships with community partners. Talks also include financial structures as well as student slots and tuition models.

City School Board Chair James Bryant said “continuity” is the board’s goal, and they hear strongly from the community “CATEC is a valuable resource that should be protected”.