LAHARPE — Chance are, a high school graduate can never miss a day of school, but still “can’t fix a lawn mower,” contends Ray Maloney.
Learning a trade, whether basic small engine repair, carpentry, welding, plumbing, etc., greatly enhances a student’s earning potential, Maloney said Monday during an open house of a proposed new regional technical education center at the former Diebolt Lumber facility east of LaHarpe.
Maloney acquired the old lumberyard and adjoining buildings, and has offered use of those facilities to get the tech ed center off the ground..
A crowd of 55 toured the 20,000-square-foot building targeted to host most of the programs.
With its spacious interior, heated flooring and sufficient electric capacity, the building still needs upgrades, such as installing more than 25,000 square feet of Sheetrock throughout much of the building to meet fire codes.
The doors also need to be changed out to meet fire and security standards set by the state, Maloney said.
The price tag for all of the improvements could cost as much as $100,000, which presents the biggest hurdle to getting the tech center open.
THE collaborative effort between area school districts, including Iola, Marmaton Valley and Uniontown, and Fort Scott and Allen community colleges, would involve the colleges providing the instructors. The colleges then would be reimbursed from the state via its Senate Bill 155, a funding mechanism dedicated to technical education programs.
Schools would be responsible for transporting students to the tech ed center, and perhaps some materials-related costs.
However, it’s uncertain who will foot the bill to upgrade the buildings.
Others, such as Thrive Allen County and the Allen County Community Foundation have begun seeking grants or private donors and related businesses to secure the needed funding.
Because many districts already have completed fall enrollment, organizers thought it best to start small before expanding, Marmaton Valley Superintendent of Schools Ken McWhirter said.
So far, only one program has been announced, a construction trades course offered by Fort Scott Community College.
Maloney noted other upgrades will allow the tech ed center to add welding courses, and other potential programs, such as small engine repair, HVAC training or CNC computer operation.
As many as eight area school districts have expressed an interest in being part of the program once it’s up and running, McWhirter said.
