By Gerri Miller
Elmore Autauga News Staff Writer
The Elmore County Board of Education held its regular March meeting in an aircraft hangar that was constructed as part of a $7.5 million expansion of the Elmore County Technical Center (ECTC).
Just a few hours prior to the meeting, a large group of Technical Center students cut the ribbon for the major expansion of the facility. The new building will house programs for Aviation, Public Safety & Law, Medical Sciences, Welding, HVAC, Electrical, Building Construction, & Plumbing & Pipefitting.
Through a partnership with the City of Wetumpka, ECTC’s Public Safety & Law program also conducted a push-in ceremony for Wetumpka Fire Department’s Engine 2. The fire truck will reside on the ECTC campus inside the program’s apparatus bay in the new wing. Students will have the unique opportunity to train daily using this fully operational equipment on-site thanks to this partnership.
During the meeting, District 2 BOE member Wendell Saxon recognized the winners of the Black History Poster and Essay Contest. Saxon said that every student that entered received a prize from a $2,500 fund from sponsorships. First through tenth place winners were named in each category,
Third through fifth graders were invited to create a poster board about an African American hero of the past or present while sixth through 12th graders were asked to write short essays ranging in length from a minimum of 300 words to 500 words depending on grade level.
In other business, the Board approved a bid totaling $480,830.85 from Struthers Recreation of Pelham for the installation of equipment to create Special Education Adaptive Playgrounds. The playgrounds will be installed at Coosada Elementary School, Airport Road Intermediate School, Holtville Elementary School, Eclectic Elementary School, Redland Elementary School and Wetumpka Elementary School.
The Board approved three-year contracts for the following Principals: Blair Andres, ECAP; Janice Darty, Coosada Elementary School; Georgette Hankins, Wetumpka Elementary School; Cynthia Hines, EDGE; Emilie Johnson, Elmore County Technical Center; Sean Kreauter, Millbrook Middle School; Mark McGhee, Eclectic Middle School; Robbie Slater, Wetumpka High School; and Marcia Stephens, Airport Road Intermediate School.
The Board also approved a charter school contract between the BOE and Ivy Classical Academy. The recommendation was made by Superintendent Richard Dennis. We will have more on this partnership in another article.
At the meeting, Redland Elementary School Principal Cory Eckstein introduced Spencer Wade as the new assistant principal. Congratulations to Mr. Wade!
Upcoming Events Include:
March 21-25 – Spring Break
April 15 – Good Friday/E-learning Day for Students
April 19- Regular Called Board Meeting- ECBOE- 4:30 p.m.
May 13- Graduation- EDGE
May 16- Graduation- Stanhope Elmore High School
May 17- Regular Called Board Meeting- ECBOE- 3:30 p.m. due to graduation
May 17- Graduation- Wetumpka High School
May 19 – Graduation- Elmore County High School
May 20- Graduation- Holtville High School
May 23 – Last Day for Students
See More Photos Below.
