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Transportation, automotive instruction celebrated at Utica Shale Academy

SALINEVILLE - The addition of automotive maintenance instruction using vehicles that transport many of its students to and from Utica Shale Academy was celebrated Monday morning by Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and other state officials and the leader of a national nonprofit organization that provided funds for the effort.

Appearing before administrators of the regional trade school and many guests, Tressel noted CNBC recently named Ohio the top state for business attraction, retention and expansion.

He said a projected economic boom is the result of many factors, including the hard work of Gov. Mike DeWine and other state and local officials and industry leaders.

"We're at a moment when the pendulum is swinging in the right direction," Tressel said.

"The only way to seize that moment is to have players," said the former college football coach, who explained those players include young Ohioans, who must receive the proper training to prepare them for the business development ahead.

He said DeWine has stressed to him that "Every Ohioan needs three non-negotiable things: to be safe, to be physically and mentally healthy, and to have an opportunity to reach their God-given potential."

Tressel praised Utica Shale Academy for providing its many students with that opportunity.

William Hansen, chief executive officer of Building Hope, noted the school was one of five winners of the national Future Forward Schools Prize grant competition held by Building and Britebound, both nonprofit organizations aimed at improving access to career technical education at schools across the nation.

The Utica Shale Academy was one of 256 applicants for the grant program, which is part of a three-year initiative recognizing middle and high schools that engage youth early in preparing for future careers.

As one of the winners, the school received $50,000 to add automotive maintenance to its curriculum and build an 840 square foot storage building for equipment used for such tasks.

Hansen applauded Utica Shale Academy for attaining the facilities, equipment and standards needed to prepare its students for those they will encounter in the industrial workforce.

"If you ask students to learn industrial level skills, the (class)room should look like the industry," he said.

Hansen presented a trophy to Utica Shale Academy Superintendent Bill Watson in recognition of his efforts to establish the school, which provides training in welding, diesel mechanics and industrial maintenance to about 170 students.

Watson also introduced U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, noting the Congressman was a strong supporter of the charter when it was being developed.

Rulli told attendees his role in that development is one of his proudest accomplishments, adding, "Utica Shale Academy is one of my favorite projects."

He said he continues to push for students to be introduced to career choices as early as fifth and sixth grades to motivate those who may be tempted to drop out of school.

Rulli said in some areas, prospects for a living wage seem bleak and youth may be drawn to crime or drug abuse.

"They must learn you don't have to have that life. You can have a better one," he said.

Rulli said a four-year college is not an option for everyone and a successful welder may earn a six-figure salary without the burden of a college loan.

Watson said the automotive maintenance instruction also has benefited from $900,000 in state transportation funds secured by state Sens. Brian Chavez, R-30th District, and Al Cutrona, R-33rd District; and state Reps. Ron Ferguson, R-96th District; Matthew Kishman, R-50th District; Tex Fischer, R-59th District; Monica Robb Blasdel, R-79th District; and Lauren McNally, D-58th District.

The funds were used to increase the school's fleet of eight-passenger vans from seven to 17.

Watson said in addition to transporting many students to and from school, the vehicles will be used to teach students routine maintenance such as changing oil and tires.

"We wanted to create a circular economy in which our students have an opportunity not only to ride to and from school but also to work on those vans," he said.

After hearing from the school's guests, attendees toured the D.B. Dixon Garage, which will serve as the students' classroom.

The auto maintenance program also received a boost through a donation from the D.B. Dixon Trust for Diesel Mechanics.

Known affectionately as "Diesel Dan," Dixon was a Lisbon resident and self-employed diesel mechanic who had been a distinguished vocational student, representing his high school in national competitions.

Watson noted that students from East Liverpool High School's media arts program were on hand to capture the event on video.

"I think that's really special -- one career-tech program using its skills to showcase another. East Liverpool's students were gaining real experience in media production while highlighting the career opportunities we're creating for our students. To me, that's a great example of future-forward education, and their program deserves recognition for it."