EATON — During a meeting on Wednesday, April 24, the Preble County Educational Service Center (ESC) Board of Education discussed a new position that will be created to create opportunities for Preble County students.
According to Assistant to the Superintendent Shawn Hoff, the ESC received the “go ahead” to create this new position, which would be a collaboration between all five Preble County school districts, Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC), and a business partner. At press time, Hoff could not name the business partner.
The ESC will be hiring a Career Connections Director. This position is going to be the key liaison between school districts and local businesses to provide STEM and workforce opportunities for students.
Candidates will be interviewed this week and the position should be filled by the end of May. This position will be in place for the start of next school year.
Hoff also discussed a project on which the ESC is partnering with the Juvenile Court System. This project will be headed by TASC officer Cindy Lee. They will create a garden using the property at the Alternative School and students who are on probation will be planting and keeping care of this garden.
They will harvest the produce and donate the harvest to the food banks and possibly the Farmer’s Market as well.
“This is a chance for some of our youth in the county to give back to the community,” Hoff said.
National Trail MVCTC FFA Chapter will be donating plants from their plant sale to the project. ACE Hardware will donate needed materials and tools for the project.
Also during the meeting, Superintendent Mike Gray spoke on the current funding proposal from Governor Mike DeWine’s office. He noted many are saying the formula introduced by Representatives Bob Cupp and John Patterson may not be approved for another two years.
Gray added, the proposal is getting questions from others in the House about its effectiveness. The proposal is also a significant increase in funding and brings the question up of how to fund the proposal.
Preble County ESC will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m., at the Educational Service Center.
