It was billed as an update of a potential partnership between the Fayette County School System and Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC). But in the end, the Board of Education on Nov. 17 decided to visit county high schools to see the career tech programs currently offered and to have a survey conducted in the spring to assess parent and student interest in other offerings.
Superintendent Jody Barrow suggested, and the board agreed, to visit each high school to see the CTAE (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) programs currently in place.
“We don’t want to interrupt the good things going on, but to enhance them,” Barrow said.
The board also agreed to put a sampling of courses on registration forms in the spring to determine potential interest by students and parents. Barrow said that information will be brought back to the board.
Board member Dan Colwell agreed, noting the importance of conducting a survey to obtain as much information as possible.
“I think this is a good starting point. We want to provide opportunities aside from a building,” said Barrow, apparently referencing concerns by some on the school board at a previous meeting questioning if the school system should establish a partnership with SCTC in the former Fayetteville Intermediate School (FIS) building on Hood Avenue.
SCTC President Randall Peters addressed the school board on Nov. 3 to let board members know SCTC is interested in having a greater presence in Fayette.
Noting that SCTC currently has only five dually-enrolled students in Fayette, Peters asked that the board consider working with SCTC to develop a credit presence in the county and asked that the board consider where and how to create that presence.
Asked by board member Barry Marchman how many students it would take to make a presence in Fayette worthwhile, Peters said an analysis would be required, though the potential exists for an initial 10-12 students in a particular program with the idea of seeing if interest builds.
Marchman also asked if SCTC could use existing schools or if another space would be needed. Peters in response said he would take the lead from Barrow in terms of a proposed location.
Chairman Marion Key asked if SCTC would hold classes at the former Fayetteville Intermediate School (FIS). Barrow answered, saying that issue and others would be part of the upcoming discussion.
Colwell said he, too, liked the idea of exploring a partnership with SCTC and the idea of Fayette becoming a hub for education.
Board member Bob Todd in his comments noted that more than half of Fayette’s student body currently take tech classes, even though 90 percent go on to attend a four-year college or university.
“We need a concept that will support what we’re already doing, not take away from it,” said Todd. “I want a needs assessment on what our students say they want and not a preconceived notion.”
