SCILL Center Director Jim Hernandez and North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Dr. Kelly Shepherd appeared before the Starke County Commissioners this week to start the conversation of expanding opportunities for K-12 students and adult education students.
Hernandez explained that the SCILL Center currently has 72 automotive technology students in classes and will soon service vehicles from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office to gain experience and to save the county costs with oil changes and other maintenance. He also noted that the 35th adult welding class gets underway February 6 where those seeking training will receive a certification upon successful completion of the class and be ready for the workforce.
He added that he is working with Starke County EMS Director Jim Garner to incorporate EMR classes into the vocational curriculum.
Dr. Shepherd, who is also on the SCILL Center board as well as the Starke County Economic Development Foundation board, said he wanted to the start the conversation of funding partnerships to be able to gain additional space to house additional vocational classes to get students the education and training needed to go right into the workforce.
Dr. Shepherd said he has been working with the Center for Workforce Innovations for possible ideas of expansion programs and space. He is hoping the county can be a backing to help obtain more space for an expansion of programs.
Hernandez said they have been looking at space at the northwest corner of Culver Road and 300 East which is 46,000 square feet and Dr. Shepherd said the OTES building in North Judson is for sale and that would be 73,000 square feet of usable room. There are options to build or renovate, but partnerships are needed to help get to the point of expansion.
The Marshall County Career Innovation Center is under construction but will house vocational programming and could cause a drop in vocational enrollment in Starke County so a local facility could benefit students.
Commissioner Don Binkley brought up the concern of location with the OTES building in North Judson citing concern of travel for Oregon-Davis students, but Dr. Shepherd noted that travel of 30 to 40 minutes is typical for vocational students as they travel from Marshall County to attend classes in Starke County.
No decisions were made. Dr. Shepherd and Jim Hernandez plan to hold the same discussion topics with the Starke County Council to start communication on expanding opportunities for K-12 and adult education.
