Intergovernmental Agreement, Flex Graduation Plan Under Discussion, Consideration
Prior to the Macomb School District No. 185 Board of Education regular meeting Monday, the Board held a special public meeting to further discuss the location of the proposed Career Technical Education (CTE) Center.
The Board discussed the pros and cons of the center being offered at Macomb High School or Macomb's Spoon River College (SRC) campus, costs if on district property, leadership and oversight and more. Twomey told the Board that a new idea, which came to fruition just hours before Monday's meeting and that he and SRC President Curt Oldfield already had an initial discussion, is an intergovernmental agreement between the two entities in which they'd share control and leadership over the center. Attorneys for both organizations would need to go over specifics before SRC and Macomb can be given the green light to move ahead with an agreement.
Because of this new approach, and the possibility of a flexible graduation plan for those students who will follow the CTE path, Twomey is less opposed with the center being located at Spoon River's Macomb campus. Ultimately, it's the Macomb School District Board of Education that will make that determination.
'I think if we can get a flexible graduation plan in place for those students, that will alleviate my concerns about students missing classroom time due to traveling to Spoon River College for their classes, and if we can get an intergovernmental agreement in place so we both have control over the center, I am somewhat more comfortable with the center being located at Spoon River,' Twomey shared.
A few Board members brought up questions and concerns over the financial burden to the district, from construction to staffing to maintenance if the CTE Center would be on Macomb High's campus. Spoon River has the staffing in place, Twomey concurred, and has more flexibility in terms of financing to construct the new center. SRC President Curt Oldfield told The Community News Brief if the center is built on SRC property, it could be located on the former Finn property, located on the east side of the Jackson Street campus. SRC purchased the property last year.
The Macomb School District would still pony up funding for the new center; however, it would be a far lesser investment than the center being on the Macomb campus, he shared. Projected revenue streams for the project will come from tax revenues brought in by Camp Creek Wind Farm, along with bonds, the one cent sales tax, federal grants and private funding.
Oldfield also told the Brief he is open to exploring all options.
'The work we are doing up front ensures that we have a solid foundation for a Regional Center that will serve all McDonough County high school students. My focus is to provide pathways to high-demand careers with sustaining wages,' Oldfield stressed. 'These are careers that will keep our talent in the region and develop the skilled workforce necessary for continued economic growth.'
Twomey said he anticipates at least 70 to 80 Macomb High students, around 15% of the junior and senior student bodies, each year being a part of the program, and would expect that number to grow as the program takes off. MHS and other students would be charged tuition at SRC's rate; however, Twomey noted there might be ways to lessen the costs for some students, such as those who qualify for free and reduced lunches.
'Curt and I have had a good talk about this, and the other schools involved in this, West Prairie and Bushnell, have been upfront all along that they want this center at Spoon River to better accommodate their students,' Twomey said.
The CTE Center committee is composed of representatives from the Macomb School District, Spoon River College, MAEDCO, the City of Macomb and Bushnell and West Prairie school districts.
Bushnell-Prairie City Superintendent Bob Gound said he is about the potential of a regional vocational center and the opportunities that it will provide for Bushnell-Prairie City High School Students.
'Whether it be construction trades, automotive, welding, IT, manufacturing, or another vocational field, providing more opportunities for our students to receive specific instruction and learn skills in these fields will benefit our students and our county long term. It's hard to project how many B-PC students will take part initially. It will be dependent on the level of interest shown by our students as well as the capacity of the programs offered. We continue to explore the best location for the Regional Vocational Center. My top priority is ensuring that Bushnell-Prairie City Schools is a partner, not just a consumer, and that this project is truly a Regional Vocational Center that will benefit the entire McDonough County Community.
West Prairie School District Superintendent Interim Superintendent Paula Markey, like Bushnell schools, said West Prairie is eager to collaborate with Spoon River College, Bushnell and Macomb Schools on a potential Regional CTE Center and the opportunities it could create for her students.
'This regional approach would offer programs in several vocational areas that are not currently available to our students and would provide students with hands-on instruction and practical skills that will benefit them as well as our county and local businesses now and, in the future,' Markey noted. 'A regional approach with Spoon River allows our students to complete vocational certificate programs and provides better opportunities for us to partner with our local businesses to provide quality programs.:' According to Markey, while initial participation numbers are difficult to predict, enrollment will be driven by student interest and program capacity. Currently, West Prairie has students who take welding classes at Spoon River College, so the Spoon River campus makes the most sense for her district, she added.
'Having the facility at a separate location creates the need for an additional drop-off and pick-up spot adding even more time to our students; travel time from Colchester,' she explained. 'We want what is best for the students of McDonough County and for them to have additional opportunities available to them. Ultimately, we feel the Regional CTE Center on the Spoon River College campus provides that for everyone.'
According to Twomey, when the application is made to the state, there are two options: apply as a school system, which means only the school district's students can attend, or apply as a regional technical education center so that others in the community can take part. Twomey is still pushing for an aggressive timeline, which would mean construction begins in Fall 2027, with the center up and running by the following fall.
'We are keeping our foot on the gas pedal,' he said.
