A group of community champions, educators and student leaders helped break ground on the expansion of Carthage South Technical Center on Tuesday, August 11. A special groundbreaking ceremony commemorated the occasion.
“We are very lucky to have a supportive community,” said Superintendent Mark Baker. “This project along with many others demonstrates their trust in us. We thank you for that,” added Baker.
When the expansion is completed in July 2021, Carthage South Technical Center will house high school technical programs currently located at Carthage North Technical Center and Carthage High School. This transition will open six classrooms at Carthage High School, will increase instructional time by 20-minutes daily as transporting students to the North Technical Center will be eliminated, and will allow Adult Education programs at Carthage North Technical Center to expand. As well, there will be additional opportunities for high school students in the areas of marketing, food science/culinary, industrial maintenance, and athletic training.
Roy Mason represented a group of community champions who shared a vision with the Carthage R-9 School District that students who complete career and technical education (CTE)
programs are prepared for a variety of paths following graduation including full-time employment, additional short-term training, 2-year college, 4-year universities, and beyond. Moreover, they shared the belief that CTE plays a vital role in developing the essential skills needed to maintain a workforce in our region. Mason, along with many others, served on a committee that spent countless hours evaluating district facility needs, including the expansion.
“This building shows our school district is striving to educate students that can be productive members of society, with career training or training to advance their careers,” said Roy Mason.
“This expansion will allow Carthage Schools to expand opportunities for our students and develop needed programs for adults entering the workforce,” said Holley Goodnight, Director of Carthage Technical Center. “We have the future workforce walking our halls every day. We believe it is our duty to produce graduates who are skilled and work-ready so they can make an immediate impact in the workforce,” added Goodnight. In closing, Goodnight also expressed her gratitude to the community for supporting CTE programs, faculty and staff, and students of the Carthage Technical Center.
Also recognized at the groundbreaking were Carthage Technical Center expansion project team members:
Architect: Hight Jackson Associates represented by Brian Jackson.
General Contractor: CSC represented by Chris Marion, Tyler Marion, Carter Marion, and Billy Sampson.
District Representatives: Gregg Wolf, Assistant Superintendent for Business, and Dan Hill, Director of Maintenance
