October 7, 2013
In addition to the career-based classes already offered at the high schools, USD 497 has proposed a large program to contribute to students’ post-high school education.
Last April, a $92.5 million school bond was passed by the Lawrence Board of Education and the Douglas County community. Of that, $5.7 million will go towards a Career Center.
USD 497 has connected with area community colleges and technical schools, such as Johnson County and Neosho County community colleges, to help equip and staff the courses, because they will be similar to the classes offered at the university level.
Students will have the opportunity to get professional-level training in a wide variety of technical and vocational programs. District director of Technological and Career education Patrick Kelly spelled out just a few of the programs offered.
“Health Science, Construction Technology, and Computer Networking and Hardware are programs we plan to include at the College and Career Center,” Kelly said. “High school students will have options for introductory and some technical coursework at their home high school (LHS or FSHS) for these programs.”
Juniors and seniors will have the chance to travel to the facility to take classes and become certified in different fields. The new building will provide students incentive to pursue more challenging classes. However, the same restrictions that currently regulate high school students would still apply.
“Students must be a junior or senior and if the course is provided by a community college or technical school they must have applied and been accepted to the community college or technical school,” Kelly said.
Although some LHS students already take advantage of the opportunity, taking college courses has great potential under current legislation. Senate Bill 155 is a 2012 law that allows high school students to take credit hours with community colleges and technical schools that will apply to their future education and career training.
As well as area educational institutions, the new career center also plans on partnering with Lawrence industrial corporations to help supply classrooms and provide training. However, the Career Center will not only be used by LHS and Free State students, but will also have a concentration on adult education as well.
Greg Williams, President and CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, was enthusiastic about the merger with the school system.
“A lot of existing manufacturers in Lawrence, even those that do not exist yet, are going to require heavily industrial manufacturing oriented training programs to get employees hired or working in a current manufacturing setting today that needs to advance their skill set,” Williams said.
This merger of programs was suggested by the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of Lawrence and Douglas County before the passing of the school bond in April. The idea really picked up traction when the funding stream was established and had voter approval.
The district plans to build the center at 31st and Haskell at the current HiPer facility. It is 77,000 square feet. It was select for its increased space, but was also for its accessibility from K-10 for industry commuters, east Lawrence location for students that live in that area and its closeness with local manufacturing plants.
The career center is first and foremost being implemented for the benefit of high school students in Lawrence. Engineering and architecture teacher, Charlie Lauts, sees the opportunity for students that are interested in a field to continue their education.
“They will take all of the beginning and intermediate level classes here, and those that are truly interested in it as a career… can go out there, and learn higher skills in their interest,” Lauts said.
The plan is projected to go into effect by the fall of 2015, allowing current freshmen and sophomores to have the opportunity available to them their junior and senior years.
Superintendent Rick Doll made the point that 60 percent of the jobs that the program will be preparing kids have yet to be created. One of the main objectives of the career center will be to educate and empower students to go out and make a mark in the technological and industrial world.
“We are trying to prepare our kids for their future, not our past,” Doll said.
Zia Kelly 