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MINGO JUNCTION -- The Indian Creek Board of Education received an update on its career-technical education program during the March 21 regular session.
Teachers representing the natural resources, technology, interactive media, engineering and performing arts gathered at Indian Creek Middle School in Mingo Junction to apprise officials on what is occurring in their classrooms to prepare students for the workforce. CTE Department head Dave Moffat, who also heads the technology and interactive media pathways, said programs also include business and more will be added.
"There are four components of career-technical education. It's not just a classroom," Moffat said. He listed classroom instruction, laboratory learning, work-based learning and student leadership. "There's work-based learning and students spend 250 hours outside of school. You can also do simulations and start your own business."
Moffat noted that one student was hired by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and already receives a full salary while still in high school.
"Each of the classes comes with accreditation and we got a wonderful grant where students will work with the school district on IT," he commented.
Moffat was referring to the $149,779 received through the Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program which the district received for various programs including engineering, manufacturing, health sciences, construction and more. Indian Creek was the only recipient in Jefferson County to receive funding through the first round of the equipment grant program, earning money to acquire two FANUC robotic arms to expound learning and earn credentials for students in the engineering design and programming career pathways and to form a Student Repair Academy to assist in the district's school buildings.
Family and Consumer Science teacher Julie Robinson, who advises the Family, Community and Career Leaders of America addressed additional criteria, saying students were working on skill-based work programs to earn post-program placement.
"We also have leadership organizations with an FFA being formed this year, the FCCLA and SkillsUSA. We also offer group advisory committees and last November we held a joint event with more than 60 people," Robinson said, adding that officials were looking to secure additional grant funding for programs.
Engineering instructor Barbara Turner provided information from previous students, saying they moved on to successful futures.
"Ten of them graduated from the University of Akron and work as engineers," she said. "This actually means something for their future. Hopefully, I'll get more kids involved with the robotic arms and get them certified."
Superintendent T.C. Chappelear was impressed with the students who went through Turner's program and said one graduate presented bioengineering research in Washington, D.C., and received a nearly $5 million grant from Ohio State University to develop an app for carbon capture.
Science teacher Crystal Fluharty updated leaders on the natural resources program and the interesting pilot program with students researching and raising hellbenders to remove them from the endangered species list.
"The biggest thing is the hellbender partnership meeting in Toledo. We'll be getting 20, 1-year-old hellbenders from Yellow Creek through the Toledo Zoo and our students will raise and release them," Fluharty said. "The students will send information to the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds will work with us to learn if Chief (the district's hellbender ambassador) is male or female. We'll have a gender reveal at the end of the year."
She added that students will go into the field for more data collection, plus they will be able to receive drone certification through a new program. Fluharty explained that drones are used in wildlife, agriculture and natural resources to survey land for forestry and other purposes.
Performing arts instructor Bobby Zinsmeister said his students are learning the finer points of the fine arts. Besides earning CTE certification, there is an articulation agreement with Kent State University and students also can receive college credit if they study fine arts. Zinsmeister added that he instructs acting and technical courses including introduction to theater and stagecraft and students learn about playwrights, improvisation, acting script analysis, set design and construction and lighting and sound.
"We have a fully functional shop at the school and the students have been primary constructors," Zinsmeister said. "There's a lot of great moving parts and we're looking to partner with the Center of Music and Art and bring community theater back to Wintersville. I'd like to start a Shakespeare in the Valley competition and the finals would be adjudicated with the winners receiving scholarships."
"I'm glad students are being introduced to the classics," said board President Ted Starkey.
"The one thing that has touched me is watching a group of different students find community and connection through the theater and the dramatic arts," Zinsmeister noted.
Moffat touched on the CES program in which students at risk for not graduating may get a job. He said teacher Jennifer Belt has had a 100-percent graduation rate with the pathway, plus students can get college credit and certification.
In other action, the board:
• Heard from educators and students who opposed opening school dances to outside students, saying there have been safety concerns and issues in the past and Indian Creek students did not always remain at the events. Now, more were returning and staying through the end of the dances. Comments included safety and security were the primary reason they should remain closed while Junior Class President Marshall Houser suggested a compromise to open the prom with certain criteria such as good grades, attendance and no suspension;
• Heard from Indian Creek Education Association President Karen Lloyd, who suggested an early dismissal on April 8 so students can view the rare eclipse. The district later granted a two-hour early-dismissal that day;
• Introduced new district Food Service Director Nicole Marshall.