(Atlantic) Atlantic School’s Superintendent Steve Barber says the school board will celebrate the construction trades program’s progress at Wednesday’s Special School Board meeting.
Barber says the district’s been working on the construction trades program for many years. Thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Atlantic Trades Education Foundation, two certified Industrial Tech instructors are on staff. The district is now ready to provide comprehensive hands-on educational opportunities. “Bob Camblin put together an Atlantic Trades 501 (c)3, and Randy Watts is the president, and Kathy Somers is the vice-president, ” said Barber. “We wouldn’t be where we’re at today without those community business partners. ‘
The goal all along was to get students out into the community and earn valuable hands-on learning instruction. The school is about to check that box because the district has reached that goal. “Finally, we’re at a point where we’re going to send some students out into the community, and that’s been our goal since day one,” said Barber. “I’m proud of instructor Dotson for making sure our students understand the safety aspect of it. The students understand they’re going out and working in the community, and even though they’re in the learning process, we expect them to do high-quality work just like a hired contractor.”
Barber says the $30,000 investment was made possible by significant contributions from Duane and Shirley Acker, Keith Harlan, and A. M. Cohron, Bob, and Judy Camblin, and Camblin Mechanical. “Our vision and Bob Camblin’s vision was to get kids involved in hands-on learning, and I think we’ve accomplished that in the last four years,” said Barber.
Mr. Barber will provide an update on the building trades program at Wednesday’s meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Middle School Media Center.
