ADAMS COUNTY
SCHOOL-TO-WORK ACTION PARTNERSHIP
February 1, 2000
Minutes
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In Attendance |
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West Union: |
John Holden, Chamber of Commerce |
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Peebles: |
Roy Willman, Cedar Works & STWAP Vice-Chair |
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North Adams: |
Nancy Sautter,, Rodeway Inn |
Due to the absence of Joy Jackson, WUHS EMIS Secretary , Elaine Collins volunteered to take minutes of the meeting.
Meeting Agenda: Introductions
Future of STWAP
Coordinator’s Report
Teacher Externship Program
Region 7 Meeting
Junior Achievement
Meeting Schedule
Open Forum
Introductions - Gene Toole:
Elaine Collins introduced Marilyn Decker, the new Human Resources Manager for MACA Plastics. Gene Toole welcomed Roy Hill, Superintendent for Adams County/Ohio Valley Schools.
Future of STWAP
Roy Willman said this topic was discussed at the Executive Committee meeting last month and the Committee feels the forum should continue to meet regularly whether there is funding or not.
Gene said schools must have an established Business Advisory County as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code. The STWAP has served in that capacity.
Roy Willman asked how formal the Business Advisory Council needed to be. Roy Hill responded that it could be as minimal or complex as the county decided to make it. He complimented the Adams County Partnership on how active it has been and how well it has functioned.
Roy asked Gene to send him information on Business Advisory Councils.
Coordinator’s Report – Gene Toole:
Gene reported that he has requested the final drawdown of $13,000 from Region 7, but that there may also be an additional $4000 available later. A portion of the drawdown will go to pay Gene’s salary for the remainder of the year. Remaining funds will be used to fund Enterprise 2000, the Teacher Externship Program, and possible partial funding for Junior Achievement for next fall.
Enterprise 2000: Piloted last year, this program teaches high school students entrepreneurial skills in an intense two-day retreat setting. Developed by Russ Brewer, the program focuses on business development basics the first day and practical application the second day when business leaders join the students for a variety of learning activities. Twenty students from North Adams are scheduled to participate on Feb. 2nd and 3rd along with two teachers, Mr. Brewer and six or seven business leaders. Students from the Vocational School will participate in Enterprise 2000 later in the year.
Teacher Externship Program: Gene reported that he hopes to repeat this program in June since last year’s program was so well received by participants. The teacher externship is a STW programs for teachers to spend time in various businesses during the summer to better determine what skills students need to master before entering the world of work.
Roy Willman asked Gene what he felt his role would be after STW sunsets. Gene responded that the school system will continue to receive the Career Development Grant, which amounts to approximately $25000 per year. These funds are used to partially fund a coordinator as well as purchasing career development materials for the district’s classrooms as well as providing for teacher inservice in the area of career education. Since STW funding is coming to an end, the only source of funding for the Coordinator’s position will be the Career Development Grant. Other sources of funding need to be explored.
Region 7 Meeting
Gene reported that the Region 7 January meeting was cancelled due to weather conditions. The next meeting will be in March.
Junior Achievement Report
Rick Fulton discussed his experience with JA in a 5th grade classroom in West Union. He was amazed at the level of thinking of the students. Roy Willman, who is in the middle of his participation, said he found the students to be very interested in learning about business and hoped the program would continue and expand.
Elaine reported that Suzie Childs of JA called her last week to say additional funds are available for a 4th grade program for this year. It was discussed whether 4th grade teachers and students would accept another program in their classrooms with the demands placed on them for improved proficiency test scores. It was decided to have Elaine contact Suzie to see if we could do the program next fall. Gene will also poll principals and teachers to determine their willingness.
It was decided to try to locate $20,000 to fund Junior Achievement in two grade levels for next year since the program seems to have been very well received.
Meeting Schedule – Roy Willman
Roy said the Executive Committee felt the forum should go back to meeting monthly to bring more continuity to the organization. Rick made a motion to go back to meeting on a monthly basis. Karen Faust seconded. Motion carried.
Open Forum
JTPA - Jan Holbrook reported that JTPA is in the midst of closing out. The transition to the Workforce Investment Act that takes effect on July 1 is expected to be seamless with participants unaware of the change in program structure. Jan reported that approximately 70 participants are currently in the JTPA program in Adams and Brown counties.
JOGS - Karen reported that one of Hopewell’s JOGS students will be featured as the Student of the Week on Channel 9 news this week. This student attends at Lynchburg Clay High School.
JOGS is working to include more students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) into the program.
Drop-out Recovery Program: JOGS plans to collaborate with Southern State and apply for funding for this program this spring. This program will target 18 - 22 year old drop-outs and teach GED and JOGS competencies. An additional job specialist will be hired for this program.
Julia Stout is the new JOGS coordinator at Manchester High School. She replaces Andy Schwientek who returned to his home country, Germany, in December.
Karen also reported that she is currently holding discussions with Beth Huntley at the Vocational School to try to get a JOGS program started in the school.
Manufacturer’s Council
Roy Willman reported that a Manufacturer’s Council has been formed in the county. The first meeting was held on January 27th with nine representatives from the private sector along with Elaine Collins from Economic Development and John Holden from the Chamber. The Council identified workforce development, especially the need for technical and "soft" skill development and child care resources as major areas of concern. They also expressed the desire for programs in the schools such as Junior Achievement and School To Work to continue since school is where workforce development needs to begin.
Gene reported that Character Education, a program which teaches ethics, values and social skills is also in all of the schools now. For an overview of Character Ed, Janice Day can be contacted.
Workforce Investment Act – Roy Willman reported that meetings have been taking place with county Commissioners to learn more about this initiative. Jerry Collamore, a private consultant, came to Adams County last Friday and met with the County Commissioners and interested citizens about WIA. The Commissioners have leadership for the program and must decide whether Adams County will join with Scioto, Pike and Brown Counties to form one service area or remain an independent county.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting will be March 7, 2000 at 9:00 A.M.