Two Pinellas County Schools employees earned top honors at the 60th annual Florida Association for Career and Technical Education conference in Orlando, the district announced Sunday.

Michael McCullough, the district's Industrial, Technology and Agribusiness Education specialist, was named FACTE's president-elect. Steve Plummer, who recently retired as a curriculum specialist, was inducted into the FACTE Hall of Fame for his contributions to career and technical education across Florida.

The recognitions came as the district's full CTE team attended the Orlando conference for professional learning sessions focused on workforce development, industry partnerships and strategies to strengthen career pathways for students. The gathering also marked 100 years of career and technical education in Florida.

McCullough's election puts a Pinellas County educator at the helm of the statewide organization that shapes CTE policy and professional standards. Plummer spent years building the district's CTE curriculum before retiring.

Both Clearwater High School and Countryside High School are served by the district's Career, Technical and Adult Education office, which oversees CTE programming across Pinellas County's high schools. Students at those schools will begin the 2026-27 year Aug. 11.

The honors arrive during a strong stretch for the district. Pinellas County Schools holds a third consecutive "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education, announced July 1, and outperformed the state in every tested subject area on statewide assessments, according to district results released in late June.

No school-by-school breakdown of CTE enrollment or specific program offerings for the upcoming year has been published by the district.

Families who want to provide input on the 2026-27 budget can attend the first public hearing at 5 p.m. July 28. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick confirmed the schedule at the June 9 board meeting. A second public hearing is set for Sept. 8.