By Stephen Smoot
Even before the members of the Harrison County Career and Technical Education Advisory Council entered the Liberty High School library to conduct their meeting, they could smell the good results of their work wafting down the hall.
Well before the council arrived and took their seats Danna Poole, the Pro Start Restaurant Management program teacher at Liberty, had her culinary class busy. Decked out in professional looking red polos and black slacks, the students cooked and served a delicious buffet style brunch for attendees in the library.
Those who came enjoyed a sausage and also a pepper and cheese egg casserole, a hash brown casserole, sliced fruit, fresh baked muffins, and more.
The program, now in its fifth year, at first struggled due to COVID restrictions. Now, as Ms. Poole explained, “ we’re seeing more students that want to go into hospitality.” For those who do not plan to make a career of food, she adds, “I always tell my students that you may not think you’re going into food service,” but most older teenagers and young adults find themselves in jobs related to it.
At 10:30, council members filed in, got their food, and then commenced the meeting.
Scott Davis, Harrison County Schools CTE Director, presented first. After recapping the previous meeting in November at United High School, he discussed the mission of the group. “We see an evolution of the committee’s role as students and schools change,” he explained.
Davis also noted that he graduated from Liberty High School and said he was “very proud of this area.”
Then he discussed the current state of CTE, previously called “vo-tech,” emphasizing “where it’s going” and capital projects.
Davis opened with an update of select programs, starting with the “GED Back Again” plan that is “a saving grace for a lot of these kids.” The program allows a student who completes their CTE curriculum and also earns a General Education Development test (GED) to also receive a high school diploma without qualification. Davis shared that “they graduate from high school like any other student.”
Also an option for those looking to enter the workforce as soon as possible, Harrison County offers the CIEL program to train students in the “soft” and other basic skills needed to obtain and keep a job.
Next, Davis discussed highlights from specific programs at different county high schools. He shared how Lincoln High School initiated a turf management training program run by Jeremy Cochran, formerly of the Pete Dye Golf Club. davis also praised Julie Yearego and her hospitality program, which “is just killing it.” Davis described the EPIC grant awarded to Yearego’s students and how they created recreational programs for the Rail Trail in Shinnston.
United High School has seen tremendous program expansion over the years. Recently, the greenhouse expansion project ran into challenges because “a lot was not installed correctly,” but the students still can work with live chickens. Davis described the “swamp cooler” in the greenhouse that has a self-perpetuating and fully contained water cycle.
At Robert C. Byrd High School, the school system invested in a number of portable convection ovens that can follow teachers and students almost anywhere on campus. Davis considered portable options due to the changes that could come if Liberty merges into RCB.
The agriculture program at Bridgeport High School acquired an ultrasound machine that students already use to check the progress of pregnant goats and chickens. He envisioned that this could possibly partner with thermal imaging drone training held by the aerospace engineering program.
Aerospace engineering at Bridgeport has a new teacher, Andrew Powell, who brings military experience to the classroom. Davis explained that the drones could fly over farmland, for instance, and identify optimal grazing areas.
South Harrison High School underwent a “state of the art . . . massive kitchen upgrade” to help the educational area meet commercial standards
Davis also shared with the group that “we are now moving CTE into the middle schools.” That change, however, involves answering questions such as “are students ready?” Concerns over the ability of students to follow safety guidelines and getting sufficient skills training in a nine week format will guide development of the programs in middle schools.
Some of the offerings may include pre-engineering, flight and space, and training to use a glow gorge machine. Lincoln Middle School already has a 3D printer for education and skills development.
“We have been able to touch every school,” Davis noted, adding that “I wanted to diversify our programs.”
Next, Dr. Geraldine Beckett presented on the county’s effort to bring effective life skills education to the schools. This year, with the help of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Treasurer’s Office, middle schoolers experienced the “Get a Life” personal finance simulation that teaches students both how to make decisions about their own lives while also developing an appreciation for the effort of their parents or caregivers.
Beckett noted she overheard one female student say “now I know what my Mom means when she’s (complaining) about things.”
She then updated the group on the new personal finance credit requirement in high school and how partnerships would lead to developing an effective program.
Finally, Beckett praised the partnership with Pierpont. She described the excitement and enthusiasm of the community and technical college’s president, Dr. Brad Gilbert, as he traveled to schools and hosted field trips.
The day ended with a tour of Liberty High School’s workplace oriented classes and programs.
