With the construction of Carthage R-9’s Technical Center South nearly complete at Carthage High School, some officials have their eye on what they can accomplish in the old facility – Tech Center North.
Adult Education Director Holley Goodnight has already figured that out.
“The biggest area we’ve expanded is we now have full-time adult certification programs,” she said. “We no longer are a secondary facility.”
The north tech facility has for many years offered adult and community education courses, like computer, welding, and certified nursing assistant classes, but with the extra space officials have been able to branch out. The school now offers certification in six different course studies.
“We’re currently in the middle of our first licensed practical nursing (LPN) program,” said Goodnight. “And this fall we’re starting programs for adult automotive, adult construction, computer network administration and machining.”
Because the program now has an adult education handbook – approved by the R-9 Board of Education during Monday’s regular meeting – the tech center is now Veteran’s Administration benefits-eligible. And once the center has had full-time adult students for two consecutive years, it’s students will be able to receive federal grants, like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Goodnight said the new facility at CHS has been a blessing.
“We had grown so much that we were sharing classrooms, and there just wasn’t enough space,” she said. “But now that we have the new building, I can run classes both places both at night and during the day to accommodate students.”
CARTHAGE, Mo. —
