ADAMS COUNTY

October 5, 1999

Meeting Agenda:

Report on "Enterprise ‘99"
Report on the summer Teacher Externship
Update on Jr. Achievement program
Report on Region 7 meeting
Open Forum

Carol reported that she found the program to be exciting and informative. It was a good opportunity to get out of the classroom and experience the "real world". It seems that responsibility is the missing element in many of our students. She preferred visiting several businesses as opposed to only one business for more than one day. She observed that our high school graduates would not automatically be qualified for many job opportunities in the area, but there are a few available upon graduation. Businesses visited were General Electric, Dayton Power and Light’s J.M. Stuart Generating Station, Cedar Works, Adams County Hospital, and MACA Plastics.

Roy Willman, of Cedar Works, stated that from a business standpoint, he really appreciated the teachers’ interest and receiving feedback.

Mr. Brewer reported on the success of Enterprise ’99, a two-day workshop he developed on starting your own business and entrepreneurship. Twenty lucky students from Ohio Valley Vocational School were nominated by OVVS staff to participate in the workshop. These were not necessarily the "A" students, but students who had expressed an interest in starting their own business or who displayed the knowledge to do so. The workshop was held at Shawnee Lodge and was run in a very business-like manner. Facilitators were Russ Brewer and Todd Mitchell. The following topics were covered: what it takes to start a business, how to create a business idea, and how to turn an idea into a business. Students then wrote a business plan, made a presentation to area business people, then had the opportunity to ask roundtable questions of the business representatives. The students became very involved in the program and gave very positive feedback. Rick Fulton suggested setting up a follow-up evaluation with previous attendees; perhaps five years later.

Gene Toole reported that it is hoped to expand this program in the year 2000 to include all 5 high schools, but we would need to find some additional funding. It had been hoped that the grant submitted to the Ohio STW, "Schools That Work in the New Millenium", written by Linda Stepp, would be funded. A portion of the budget of this grant was to expand Enterprise ‘99. Unfortunately, 100 grants were submitted and only 24 were given. Ours ranked 29, therefore, we did not get funded.

Mr. Brewer said the cost would run around $2,500 per 20 students. Mr. Toole has already talked with Dale Grooms at West Union and a meeting is set up with North Adams. North Adams may use additional Venture Capital monies to fund the program. Ronnie Morgan wrote it into the Perkins grant for OVVS for this year. That leaves approximately $7,500 needed for the other three schools. Linda Stepp said she might be able to fund a portion of this, if the businesses were interested in helping out.

Mr. Toole said that we need to get more business people involved in participating in the workshop with the increase in student attendees. Deb Ryan asked what grade levels participated in the workshop. Mr. Brewer said that both Juniors and Seniors from the Vocational School attended, but it would be left up to the individual high schools. Mrs. Stepp asked that a contact person be appointed for this program at each high school. Mr. Toole also said there needs to be a uniform set of criteria for selection of students.

Elaine Collins explained that the Jr. Achievement Program, in which all 29 Appalachian counties in Ohio have elected to participate in, pairs a local business person with a 5^th grade teacher. The business person spends 5 sessions during the school year, 45 minutes each, in the classroom with the teacher. Topics covered are: types of businesses, what employers look for in employees, production, productivity, and advertising. The students will also hold a business meeting and develop a business plan. Elaine reported that we need three more business people to participate.

Linda Stepp commented that this program is on-target for educational goals as it teaches "citizenship" concepts, and using business people as a resource.

Region 7 will be closing on June 30, 2000 – eliminating funding for this program. Each county will receive $13,000, which will close out the books. Dave Boothe, Region 7 Coordinator, has the guidelines for how the requested $13,000 is to be used by the counties. The Executive Board will deal with this next month.

Gene Toole reminded the group that this is a critical year- there will be no more funding from

Region 7 so we have to focus on making the program self-sustaining!

Karen Faust, the new area JOGs Coordinator, was introduced, along with all the JOGs teachers in attendance. Karen gave an overview of the Jobs for Ohio Graduates program. Andy Schweintek, the new JOGs teacher at Manchester High School suggested that a contract be formed with area businesses to link these students with businesses who would hire the students on a part-time basis. Karen stated that this is being discussed with businesses and Weastec and Milacron have expressed an interest.

Joyce Kendall, from the Department of Human Services, stated that they may have some funding available for projects that meet their criteria.

Rob Meade stated that Dr. Larry Dukes at Southern State Community College has indicated that a Work-Force Development Facility may be built in the county. Location seems to be the question at this time. There was general discussion of the opportunities this could provide.

The motion to adjourn was made by Brad Jones, seconded by Linda Stepp. Motion carried.