The expansion and renovation to Katy ISD’s Miller Career and Technology Center is slated to begin in February. The expansion will allow the Miller Center to move new programs into the building, including manufacturing technology, dental assisting and cyber security, said Sarah Martin, KISD Career and Technical Education director. “The new proposed programs will provide students with a deep understanding of the industry as well as provide industry certification opportunities,” Martin said during the Oct. 19 school board meeting. In addition to those programs, the veterinary medical applications course currently offered at the center will be revised into a veterinary assistant program with a certification available, she said. The center will also be the home of the district’s allied health programs, including the emergency medical technician course offered at Seven Lakes and Morton Ranch high schools and KISD’s health science critical rotation course, offered at six high schools. Architectural firm Stantec designed the renovation and expansion. Stantec project director Jennifer Henrikson said construction would start in February and continue until December. During the school year, the construction would take place after school ends until 7 p.m. so students would not be disturbed, Henrikson said. She said the design includes collaboration and study spaces along with renovated program rooms. “[The collaborative space] supports a collegiate feel or a professional work environment,” Henrikson said. Some of the center’s highlights will be the addition of a mock ambulance for the EMT program and a pharmacy for the pharmacy technician training program. “When you walk into that front door, you feel like you’re walking into a CVS,” Henrikson said. The expansion adds 40,000 square feet of space and the total cost is about $8 million, funded through 2014 bond project money. Renovations will move administration rooms from the first floor to the second and some classroom spaces will be larger, Henrikson said. Martin said there are 23,891 students in grades seven through 12 enrolled in career and technical education courses. She said high school enrollment in those courses increased by 4,000 students from last year. “These kids are going to have an opportunity not only to learn, but then to be ready for real life,” board of trustees president Charles Griffin said.