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TOUR — Jefferson County Vocational School Technology Coordinator Ron Peach shows school board members Barry Gullen, center, and Andy Reeves as he gives an overview of the new distance learning equipment the school recently received. — Contributed
BLOOMINGDALE — The anticipated influx of a record number of students had the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School Board of Education discussion potential plans for expansion in the future.
During the regular session on April 17, officials said that a total of 451 juniors and seniors would be enrolled for the 2024-25 school term, making it the largest amount in years. This led officials to brainstorm potential ideas for classrooms and other space to meet the growing need.
“It really has me pumped up,” said board Vice President Ron Smyth. “We’re kind of busting at the seams. Is it time to add on?”
Superintendent Todd Phillipson said he could meet with an architect and obtain drawings and possible options would be to add rooms at the front of the building or even a second story.
“We are up to 280 (juniors) and that’s the most we’ve had,” Phillipson added. “We began with 500 (in the past), but the No. 1 difference was the number of academic classrooms. We only had one academic class at the time. We’ve added a classroom, but do we need to add another one? It’s a good problem to have and I’m willing to aggressively pursue it if the board approves.”
The building, which is 50 years old, has not undergone significant expansion for two decades. Improvements took place between 1999-2005 and included adding related rooms to the carpentry, power mechanics and electrical trades labs to create space for academic classrooms.
Phillipson said the building expansion goal would take three to four years with the passage of a bond issue unless a grant became available. Following more talks, no action was taken but he said plans were being made to accommodate the new students this fall.
In related matters, board President Steve Bezak III asked about input on school goals. Last month, Phillipson unveiled a draft of career-technical planning district vision goals and values, including ideas from providing high-quality career and technical programs to expanding the Breezewood Subdivision as well as the school building itself. Ideas for the school ranged from a health academy to courses for machine trades.
“Are we making a committee? I guess we need to know how we’re going to do it,” Bezak said, adding it could involve the current personnel committee.
Discussion ensued and officials said a personnel meeting could meet and share its ideas with the board. A meeting was set for May 21 at 4:15 p.m. prior to the regular board session.
Meanwhile, leaders heard a presentation from Technology Coordinator Ron Peach on the new equipment provided by the million-dollar technology grant the JVS recently received.
Peach gave an overview of the upgrades, which include interactive television screens and other technology for networking. Earlier this year, the school received $854,842 under the Fiscal Year 2023 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program that is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service. The JVS provided a 15 percent match–or roughly $156,800–for a total of $1,011,647. The grant will connect classrooms and labs to other schools and universities and similar capabilities will be available in the cafeteria and training room.
He said the commons area now features two large screens and two laser projectors as well as cameras, microphones and speakers for online interaction, plus there are capabilities to use laptop computers, Roku and Apple TV. The system is controlled by a touchscreen panel and the equipment can be used for events such as movie days and senior recognition ceremonies. Peach added that classrooms and labs will also have interactive screens for educational use while the criminal justice lab includes two large screens for its program.
“It’s not going to be a typical classroom,” he added. “The meeting room will be set up similar to the criminal justice room and there will be interactive touch displays with Windows and an interactive view board. We’ll have equipment to do videoconferencing and each classroom is going to have that capability.”
He said culinary arts, cosmetology, criminal justice and health technologies were among the labs involved so far and he hoped to see more programs participate in distance learning. The installation will continue over summer break and should be ready for the fall term.
Among other action:
• Phillipson said other projects were underway with the media center to receive carpeting and paintwork and a new layout for computer equipment while the early childhood education lab would have paint, flooring and cabinetry. More plans included updates in the faculty restrooms, replacing doors near the animal science lab and creating a new resource room for intervention;
• Supervisor/Principal Andy Long said community representatives judged Senior Project Day and Gabrielle Wilson added that the Senior Recognition and Awards was set for May 16 at 6 p.m. in the school commons;
• Officials accepted the updated seniority list;
• Leaders approved extracurricular activity advisers for the 2024-25 school year including Ron Reasoner for SkillsUSA, Rebecca Kelley for Family, Community and Career Leaders of America, Cody LaRue for Business Professionals of America, Fred Jones and Emily Moore for FFA, Erin D’Aurora for National Technical Honor Society, Allison Boyd for student council and Tammy Sismondo for Health Occupations Students of America;
• Approved the re-employment of Cody LaRue for four years and Anthony Materna, Brianne Schoolcraft and Melissa Zifzal for one year each;
• Approved the re-employment of classified staff Lou DeChristopher, Carole Dunfee, Emily Homes, Lisa McFarland, Tammi Middleton and Jamie Spencer for two years each;
• Accepted a letter of resignation from student monitor Debra Harris, effective March 31;
• Approved Dave Lucas to be placed on a continuing contract, effective with the start of the 2024-25 school year.
• Approved the employment of Carissa Hennen as English instructor and Kaylee Schubenski as intervention specialist (science) for the 2024-25 school year;
• Approved the proposed 2024-25 school calendar;
• Approved the sale of the modular home to the village of Bloomingdale and authorized the superintendent and treasurer to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the sale;
• Set the next board meeting for 5 p.m. May 21.
