New faces abounded at the January PLCC board meeting.
Four new board members, one from each of the four home schools, were sworn in. They were Neal Hess, Tina Gable, Lynn Wiggens and Mark Tallman. Hess is a first-year member of both the Springfield and PLCC boards. Gable is in her second year on the Coventry board and her first at PLCC. Wiggens of Green is a first year school board member for both schools. Mark Tallman, from Manchester, is back for his second term with PLCC after serving 12 years previously.
The board also elected board members to positions. David Andrews, of Coventry, the former vice president, was elected as president. Connie Leonard, of Green, was elected as the vice president. The board also filled the OSBA legislative liaison and student achievement liaison positions through volunteering. Gable and Robert Wohlgamuth of Coventry step forward for the respective positions.
The other announcement was that Ben Moore was appointed to a new position. Prior to assuming his role as adult education director, Moore served as the director of technology, associate principal for curriculum and technology and as director of curriculum and post-secondary education. Moore’s duties include supervision of district technology, curriculum, professional development and adult education programs.
Moore thanked the board for his new position and gave his first report on the adult education program. Recently, 100 percent of students who went through the practical nurses class passed their exam.
PLCC will offer physics and college algebra for students for next fall. In addition, a Kent State University teacher has offered to teach a college level course for teachers on campus. The 24-hour class is required for technical teachers to be qualified.
Moore said they are looking into making their medical assistance program more efficient. It may take two years, but they are looking to change it so half the credit can be used toward college credit.
Moore added there will be an adult education retreat Jan. 22.
Superintendent James Brown said that the Board of Regents will run adult education and they are looking toward having college credit courses at PLCC in about a year. He said it will take some work getting the classes in the building, but it will be worth it.
Principal Paulette Prince spoke on students who are out on placement currently. She said 20 are in internship, 20 in apprenticeships and 16 in co-op programs. They are now doing job placement for eligible students.
“It’s hard to find because of current employment,” Prince said. “We might have to make concessions.”
In the past, students would go to a place for a while and work for free to learn the trade and later be paid. Now, because of the economy, Prince said more students might have to stay on without pay but still would gain valuable experience at the place of business.
January and February are all recruiting time for PLCC from the home schools. On Feb. 8 and 9 the home schools come over during the school day to see the PLCC and Feb. 11 in the evening is Career Exploration Night.
Prince updated the board on the character education the school is teaching students. She said 95 percent of students have their character card on them at all times, which if they show the card and answer her questions correctly, they get a candy bar.
In the superintendent’s report, Brown said construction on the new health wing is currently six weeks behind schedule. A recovery schedule is being developed. The current goal for opening is April 5, but Brown said realistically they were looking at May. 1.
Regarding the construction, the board approved $37,003.73 from the general fund 005 to fund 001 since 001 fronts the money for construction until the transfer occurs.
PLCC was going to add a software development program class in the fall, but the class might be suspended for a year. The teacher they were going hire to teach the class backed out Jan. 14.
They will review the other applicants, but want someone who is well qualified for the position.
“We are sticking to our guns on quality teachers,” Brown said as to why they will not just pick anyone who turned in a resume for the position.
The next board meeting with be Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.
