NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Tri-County Career Center Board of Education celebrated new facilities and recently expanded student services for adults and high school sophomores at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The meeting was the second recent acknowledgment of Tri-County Career Center’s recent expansions. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday, Oct. 15, to mark the completion of an adult education building that includes new nursing and cosmetology labs.
Tri-County Career Center provides several adult career tracks, open to all adults. Driver’s education courses are also offered, both to adults and high school students.
“One of the most exciting opportunities is continued growth of our Adult Education Center and its role in regional workforce development,” Tri-County Superintendent Andrea Townsend said.
“By expanding access to industry-recognized credentials, career training, and programs like Practical Nursing, we are helping adults enter the workforce, advance in their careers, and meet the evolving needs of local employers,” she said.
As part of the recent expansion project, next school year Tri-County Career Center will enroll high school sophomores for the first time. The expansion also created five new seats for students in the high school cosmetology program.
Board members heard presentations from Tri-County cosmetology students at its Oct. 20 meeting.
High school seniors Ian Barrett, from Nelsonville-York, and Charlee Slaybaugh, from Federal Hocking, presented slideshows from their recent participation in the annual Premiere Columbus Beauty Show, an annual trade show only open to students and licensed professionals.
“It’s a great chance for the students to get off campus and immerse themselves in our industry, present themselves as a professional in our industry, and really see what’s going on, and what other people are doing,” Tri-County cosmetology instructor Rebecca Dicken said.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Barrett and Slaybaugh also participated in a fundraiser for the Ohio Pink Ribbon Fund, Pink Ribbon Spa Night, which was held Oct. 16 in Athens.
Participants at the event were not referred to as breast cancer “survivors,” but instead as “thrivers.” They were treated to hair styling, massages, and nail care.
“It was really nice to just make people feel better and pamper them a little bit, make them feel good for the night,” Barrett said.
Board members were impressed with the students’ professionalism.
“The presentation was so impressive,” Logan-Hocking board representative Ed Penrod said. “In fact, it’s one of the best I’ve observed in my many years of education. So I applaud you all and your instructor.”
Addressing the board members, Barrett said, “I think this was a great opportunity, honestly. I consider every single one of you important to Tri-County. I think everyone in this room does, and it’s just really good to share these experiences with you, and just show how important this lab is to us.”
“Before I came to Tri-County, I wouldn’t be called a straight-A student or anything, but since I’ve been here, I’ve been on the honor roll. I’ve had perfect attendance,” Slaybaugh said.
“It really pushed me to come to school,” Barrett said. “You have to show up and you have to show teamwork. We’re building experience for the real world, for the jobs out there.”
In other business, the board’s student achievement liaison Ray Hatem, representing New Lexington, reported a 93% pass rate for the end of the school year’s first quarter.
Legislative liaison Betty Amnah, a board member representing Logan-Hocking, reported on the Ohio Court of Appeals ruling from Oct. 15 that found the ‘EdChoice’ private school voucher program unconstitutional. The appeal will go before the Ohio Supreme Court next.
“So they identified three things, which we all know: Public dollars are being spent on a separate school system instead of a public school system. Second, private schools can choose which students they want to accept. Third, the program puts pressure on public school finances,” Amnah said.
The board also approved a calendar change for March 12. It was originally scheduled as a third job shadow day, but was changed to a non-work day.
The next Tri-County Career Center Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the Smith-Parkins building, 15676 State Route 691, Nelsonville.
