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LISBON -- When long-time Veterinary Science and Technologies instructor Darrell Bevelhymer retires at the end of the school year, he told the board he feels confident he is leaving the program in good hands.
Jamie Stacy has been selected to replace Bevelhymer and both presented information to the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center board about where they see the program going in the future.
Located in the newly renovated facility it shares with Landscape and Developmental Design, the program has lots of room to grow and expand.
Bevelhymer reportedly already has 23 students lined up to enroll in the program for next year. The program maxes out at 25. While it is hard to find credentials for students studying veterinary science at the high school level, Bevelhymer has been working to help students get internships and part-time jobs with local veterinarians.
He also has been getting students to do more research projects this year, encouraging them to gain skills with hands-on activities.
Stacy has already ordered a chicken coop and plans are in place to utilize the three acres of pasture space the program has by bringing in more animals for hands-on instruction. Additionally, Bevelhymer said he has added more life skills to his curriculum, teaching students about budgeting, business, credit, futures and commodities. The program has been adding more equipment and technology curriculums.
Bevelhymer said it is also important for students to consider post secondary options. Between 45 percent and 55 percent of his students go on to college or tech school each year.
Bevelhymer said Stacy has been helping in his program for 10 years and has a background which includes FFA, sciences and animal health management.
"You couldn't have gotten a better replacement for me," he said.
Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Corbisello noted it is the teachers who make the CCCTC special and he believes Stacy is the best fit for the job.
In other matters:
-- The board approved a contract of $112,500 with Strollo Architects for upcoming work at the school this summer. The fee includes the cost of $16,094 for work already done designing the project.
This project will include renovated classroom space in in the heavy lab wing, new lockers in the building and a redesigned front entrance. The project will also provide replacement HVAC units, replacing those installed when the building was new in 1977.
-- The board approved the bills, which included the purchase of multi-media touchscreen devices for classrooms called Prowise. The devices operate utilizing computers with Bluetooth.
The devices will replace white boards and projector screens, which are being offered to the other school districts in the area, who send students to the CCCTC.
Superintendent Chuck Adkins and Corbisello explained to the board that the devices are single units. When the projector bulbs burn out on the white boards with projectors, there have been problems with the very expensive replacement bulbs not aligning properly at times.
The board approved the nearly $78,000 spent on the Prowise devices, plus an additional$23,626 for related equipment.
-- The board approved Emily Kellison as an adult education instructor.
-- The board approved the calendar for next year. School starts Aug. 21.
-- The board approved the donation of a steel plate from Reichard Industries to the Welding and Materials Joining Program and a gear wrench socket set from D&M Tools to the Auto Technology Program.
djohnson@mojonews.com