Chairman Dave McChesney called the meeting to order.

Coordinator’s Report- Gene Toole:

2000-2001 School-Year :
Mr. Toole reported that he had been employed for the 2000-2001 school year as high school principal at Peebles High School. The school administration is now exploring ways to fund a position to continue the Career Development Program.

Buckeye Association of School Administrators Award:
Roy Hill was informed on April 20^th that the school district had been awarded a Program Award for the Adams County School-To-Work Program. This award is sponsored by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and will be presented at the annual BASA Leadership in Education Award Luncheon on June 13, 2000 during BASA’s Summer Conference in Sandusky. There were 15 awards announced across the entire state of Ohio.

Summer Teacher Externship Program:
Mr. Toole reported that the plans for the teacher externship program are currently being finalized. Initiated during the summer of 1999, the externship is designed to give teachers the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding from representatives of the workplace as to what skills employers are looking for as students finish their formal schooling and enter the workforce. Debbie Ryan, Adams County Hospital stated that the hospital considers the teacher externship program to be much more valuable that the normal tours that they do since teachers can then go back to their classrooms and make adjustments as a result of seeing first hand what employers are looking for. In addition, representatives of business and industry gain a better perspective of the challenges facing teachers in the classroom. Mr. Toole reported that nationwide, the popularity of teacher externships is growing.

Junior Achievement
There was a lengthy discussion relevant to the JA program that is currently taking place in the district’s 5^th grade classrooms. The results have been very positive. Plans are now being put in place to expand the JA Program for next year to include the district’s 4^th and 5^th grade classrooms as well as the JOGS program in each of the high schools. Susie Childs, JA Representative, reported that the grant through ARC will again cover the expenses of the 5^th grade for the 2000-2001 school year. Mr. Toole reported that he has funds to cover the 4^th grade and Karen Faust, JOGS Coordinator indicated that she will work on getting the program for the JOGS classes funded.

Rick Fulton, Preferred Staffing Solutions, asked if there were formal evaluations of the 5^th grade programs that were carried out this year. Ms. Childs indicated that there were evaluations to be filled out by teachers, students, and business representatives at the conclusion of activities in each classroom.

Finances:
Mr. Toole reported that all STW funds must be expended by June 30, 2000. The funding of the teacher externship and the 4^th grade Junior Achievement materials for the coming year will complete the spending of all STW funds.

Region 7 Appreciation Luncheon:
Dave McChesney announced that any partnership member interested in attending the Region 7 Luncheon to be held on May 22 at the Shawnee Lodge could contact Gene Toole at 544-2336 or Dave Boothe, Region 7 Coordinator at 740-286-4459. This is a celebration meeting to recognize the accomplishments of the programs in the Region 7 STW Alliance.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Partnership will be held on June 6, 2000 in the distance learning labs of the high schools at 9:00 AM. All members are encouraged to be thinking about how we can continue our partnership. Also, be thinking about a new name for our group!