Resolution In Support of Seattle Central College’s Wood Technology Center and Programs

April 15, 2026

WHEREAS faculty, staff, and students at Seattle Central College’s Wood Technology Center have been informed that the future of their location and programs is under threat due to chronic underfunding and budget cuts; and

WHEREAS for almost 90 years, the Carpentry and Boatbuilding programs at Seattle Central College’s Wood Technology Center (WTC) have been the most trusted source for well-trained, highly skilled workers for our trades. WTC’s Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT) program has a long and valued role in the Central Area providing the training needed for workers, especially people of color, to enter a wide range of construction industry apprenticeship programs and begin their union careers; and

WHEREAS our industries need skilled builders, especially carpenters, boat builders, cabinet makers, and qualified apprentices, and our industries and unions hire WTC graduates for these reasons – in fact, many of our industry and union leaders are WTC graduates; and

WHEREAS our state’s economy remains strong and construction demands are only increasing, in both the residential/private sector and the commercial and public sectors – especially housing, which WTC is uniquely responsive to. Yet our state budget has been hard hit, especially for community and technical colleges. Even more challenging is the apparent budget deficit at Seattle Central College (SCC) once again; and 

WHEREAS three years ago, it was widely reported that  SCC had a budget deficit and several technical programs were under threat of closure, including WTC. Fortunately, before final decisions were made about program closures, SCC reported they radically miscalculated the deficit, so WTC continued largely (but not entirely) intact. Now, SCC seems to be facing yet another uncertain budget deficit. And again, now, WTC’s programs that provide hands-on, job training skills and workforce development in industries with significant worker needs and meaningful, well-paid career opportunities in fields

that cannot be replaced by AI or unskilled labor are under threat of reduction and/or closure; and 

WHEREAS WTC graduates get comprehensive and extensive training on a wide variety of technical skills, sustainable building practices, as well as safety training; and 

WHEREAS as taxpayers and WTC community and labor partners, we expect transparent decision-making from the Seattle Colleges’ Board of Trustees and college leaders; and 

WHEREAS in order for Seattle Central College and WTC to be stable, efficient and effective, it would be irresponsible to move forward with any plan to close WTC programs and/or sell its building without full information about fiscal risks and benefits;  impacts to faculty, staff, students, and the surrounding community; and a solid understanding of the potential value of WTC/PACT programs and property to our industries and to workers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we call on Seattle Central College, Seattle Colleges District, and the Board of Trustees to provide a public accounting of the Seattle Colleges’ true budget status; a full audit of Seattle Central College; and a comprehensive assessment of all of Wood Technology Center programs’ capacities and contributions to the workforce needs –  including how SCC has responded to past strategic plans and industry feedback initiatives – as well as a full audit of WTC program budgets, enrollment, and philanthropic investments over the past several years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that until such time, the Board of Trustees, Seattle Central College, and the Seattle Colleges District must suspend any decisions, including the annual budget process, that would affect ongoing WTC student enrollment and faculty capacity to continue to teach the curricula that has been approved by faculty and industry; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on Seattle Central College administration and  Seattle Colleges’ Board of Trustees to demand that  the WTC campus must not be listed, sold, or transferred, nor any portion rented to new programs or institutions not related to the mission and function of WTC’s current programs; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge WTC’s supporters, local labor unions, and the broader community to show their support for this vital investment in our future by attending WTC’s annual Tool Swap on Saturday, May 2 from 9am-1pm and by signing WTC’s petition in support to save WTC’s programs at http://tiny.cc/WTC_petition.