The LCHS Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Advisory Council met recently with community leaders. Those representing the community were, front row: Alana Burke, Becky Reed, Chuck Beggs, Elizabeth Chamblin; middle row: Guy McDeavitt, Gail Remsen, Ellen Butler, Dr. Mason-Woodard, Joe Hogan, Regina Reid; back row: Johnny Spratlin, Coleman Kennedy, Ernie Doss, Dr. Randall Edmunds, Tim Smith, Hillyer Wright, Cooper Cliatt, Nancy Blount, and Brittney Thompson. The Lincoln County High School Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Advisory Council met on March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Business and Computer Science lab. Members, teachers, and administrators had the opportunity to get acquainted at the beginning as light refreshments were served.

The meeting began with a welcome by Dr. Becky Barden, Principal. Mrs. Collins, CTAE Supervisor, recognized members of the council and guests. She also recognized the new members: Chuck Beggs, Lincolnton Feed & Seed; Gail Remsen, Lincoln County Board of Education, board member; Regina Reid, LCHS Graduation Coach, and Tim Smith, Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Office.

Mrs. Collins updated the committee on the re-engineering of CTAE for the 21st Century. She stated that the new vision for CTAE is to ensure that every Georgia student graduates from high school with the academic skills, hands-on experience in real work environments, and intensive career guidance required succeeding in college and/or employment.

She presented the Peach State Pathway Career Plan which outlines the steps for a student to take to reach their goals and build a successful life and career after high school graduation.

Mrs. Collins talked about Phase I of the re-engineering which would be implemented this fall with new courses being added to the curriculum. Some of the new courses are: Business Essentials, Legal Environment of Business, Entrepreneurial Ventures, Electrical/Electronic Systems and Design, Preventive Maintenance, Introduction to Healthcare Science, and Application of Therapeutic Services.

Phase II would be implemented school year 2008-2009, and the final phase, Phase III, would be implemented school year 2009-2010.

The CTAE department is involved in the program initiatives: Tech Prep and Youth Apprenticeship. Mrs. Collins introduced Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin, Tech Prep Coordinator at Augusta Technical College.

Dr. Chamblin talked about the new name for Tech Prep which has been changed to Georgia Education and Career Partnership. She also presented the articulation agreement that Lincoln County has with Augusta Technical College which supports the student as he or she transitions from high school to technical college and then to a career.

Dr. Chamblin stated that a student can earn technical college credit while in high school through articulation and/or dual enrollment. After graduating from high school, students can go on to a technical college to complete requirements for certificate, diploma, or associate degree programs. Mrs. Collins made comments about the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Presently, LCHS has 19 students involved in the program.

Mrs. Ellen Butler, LCHS counselor, presented information about the results of the career fair that was conducted in January. She indicated that the goal of the career fair was to make available information to students who were considering a technical career. She also discussed other career activities available for students.

Mrs. Regina Reid, LCHS Graduation Coach, presented to the committee what her duties involved. She also discussed how important it was for all to work together to encourage our students to stay in school and do their best.

Mr. Guy McDeavitt, Technology Specialist for Lincoln County Board of Education, explained the advances in technology and how Lincoln County School System was updating to meet the technology demand.

Members of the CTAE department presented information about their career, technical, and agriculture program and student organization. Those presenting were: Janet Dukes - Business and Computer Science; Dennis Gay - Agriculture; Tangie Mckinney - Healthcare Science; and Marion Aycock - Transportation. Also making comments was Brittney Thompson, who will be teaching Family and Consumer Science courses and Joe Hogan who will be teaching Engineering and Technology beginning in the fall.

The final item on the agenda was the discussion of the new school. Dr. Edmunds, Superintendent, presented information about the new school and why a new school was needed. He discussed the election to be held on March 20, which is to vote on SPLOST and the issuing of bonds to help pay for the new school. Drawings of the new school were presented for the committee to preview.

After much discussion, the meeting was adjourned by Mrs. Collins

The purpose of the advisory council is to provide community input into the career, technical, and agriculture programs so as to maximize career and technical training opportunities for the students through a school and community partnership. With input from the community the career and technical department has insight as to what business leaders see as the career and technical needs for the areas of study.

Those representing the community and school were: Alana Burke - Lincoln County Development Authority; Coleman Kennedy, Retired Educator; Cooper Cliatt, Augusta Telephone Sales and Service; Ellen Butler, Counselor - LCHS; Ernie Doss, Director - Lincoln County Dept. of Public Safety; Guy McDeavitt, IT Supervisor - Lincoln Co. Board of Education; Dr. Michelle Mason-Woodard; Mr. Johnny Spratlin - Spratlin & Sons Construction; Becky Reed - Lincoln County Board of Education board member; Gail Remsen - Lincoln County Board of Education; Chuck Beggs - Lincolnton Feed & Seed; Hillyer Wright - R & W Auto Parts; Tim Smith - Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Office; Nancy Blount - Lincoln County Family Connections; Regina Reed - LCHS Graduation Coach; Dr. Becky Barden - LCHS Principal; and Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin - Augusta Technical College Tech Prep Coordinator.