About Us

About HTC

History

Lee County High Tech Center Central (HTC) was authorized in 1966 and operates under the governance of the State of Florida Department of Education (DOE), Division of Workforce Development, and The School District of Lee County. The institution opened in August 1967 as the “Lee County Area Vocational Technical School”, and classes were held in various temporary locations until the present facility was occupied in 1968.  The first Director of the school was Mr. Howard Scherman, who served as School Director until March of 1978.

The first students to graduate from the school were 13 students in the Practical Nursing Course, which held classes in an off campus facility until the main school was completed.  This group of students graduated in 1967.  The first students who began classes at the new facility completed occupational programs in June 1968. 

The school initially consisted of just 4 main buildings.  Programs which were offered consisted of Cosmetology, Secretary (typing), Nursing, Automotive Mechanics, Welding, Plumbing, and Auto Body Repair.  In 1969 the school was expanded with the completion of 3 additional buildings which housed the TV Repair Program, Culinary Arts, Printing, Electronics Repair, Law Enforcement, Precision Machining, and Air Conditioning.  A final expansion was completed in 1974 with the construction of 3 more buildings.  These allowed the program offerings to include Electrical Wiring, Marine Technology, Horticulture, Tile Setting & Masonry, Diesel Technology, Carpentry, and Small Gas Engine Repair.

For the next approximately 30 years, the program offerings at the school remained relatively consistent and constant.  In March of 1978, Mr. Ronald Pentiuk was appointed as School Director, and he would serve in that role for over 26 years guiding the school through over two and a half decades of change and growth. 

At times the titles of the course offerings were changed to reflect an updated occupational title and curriculum content adjustment.  As examples, TV Repair became Computer Electronics Technology, and Secretary became Administrative Assistant.  During this time, the physical plant changed little.  The exception was the addition of a new Police Academy building in 1991, which allowed that program some much needed additional space.  A name change for the school itself was adopted in 1994 when the school became known by its present name, “Lee County High Tech Center Central.”

Beginning in 2001, the school underwent a significant and major renovation to its facilities, which coincided with some rather extensive program offering changes.  Over $10 million was invested in upgrading the buildings and its mechanical systems.  Funding was budgeted to upgrade training equipment, tools, furnishings, and fixtures.  In the space of just a few years, five programs were dropped, and six were added.  In every case, the programs which were dropped reflected a transition and shift in the nature of the industry and job demand in the Lee County area.  Horticulture, Diesel, Machine Shop, Printing, and Surgical Technician programs gave way to the addition of Web Design, Computer Networking Systems, Business Management, and Automotive Youth Education System (AYES).

Mr. Robert Durham was appointed Director in March of 2005, taking over from Mr. Pentiuk upon his retirement. Mr. Durham retired in June 2009.

In early 2006 the school entered into a first-of-its kind partnership with the United States Military’s Southern Command to deliver crew training for the Enduring Friendship Marine Interceptor Program. This program, a U.S. Government initiative to provide maritime defense interdiction boats to Caribbean and Latin American host nations, requires the school to train the crews from the foreign countries who will operate and maintain these boats.

The present School Director, Mr. William McCormick, was appointed to that post in July 2009.

Currently, High Tech Central offers over 30 programs in a wide variety of occupational clusters.  However, it is interesting to note that despite the many new offerings which have been added over the years, the most popular and in-demand programs remain those that began when the school opened in 1967.  The Cosmetology, Automotive, and Nursing programs continue to thrive and have waiting lists for entry.

High Tech Center Central is proud of the thousands of students it has graduated through the years, many who have gone on to become the engine that drives the Southwest Florida economy.  Many graduates have become successful business owners, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals in all walks of life.  The school’s motto, “Preparing Students for the World of Work” is not just a slogan; it is a statement of fact.