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Regional School Part 9 is officially working to open the Bjorn Vocational and Technical Education Center at Blue Middle School. Principal James Black said the programs provide practical learning opportunities for students and I hope they are academically involved. Screenshot
Farmington – Regional School Part 9 plans to establish a Vocational and Technical Education Center at Blue Middle School.
On Tuesday, June 23, the RSU 9 Board of Directors unanimously approved the next steps to establish CTE, with a $ 2.5 million grant from the Bigger Foundation.
The next steps include approving the donation and planning and construction committees with foundation representation, local businesses, managers, parents and RSU 9 staff.
The donation will provide full financial support for the construction of a new wing at the Blue Middle School, home of the Bjorn Vocational and Technical Education Center.
Although initially not affiliated with the Maine Class CTE programs, it will be based on the RSU 9 Foster Care and Technical Education Center to provide “hands-on learning” for younger students. Blue Black Middle School principal James Black said in an interview.
Superintendent Chris Elkington said in an interview that Bjorn Foundation had approached RSU 9 several years ago about the opening of CTE Middle School, but the talks were postponed until 2020.
The Bjorn Vocational and Technical Education Center, funded by a $ 2.5 million grant from the Bjorn Foundation, offers students the opportunity to take courses in practical learning opportunities at Mt. Blue Middle School will make further additions to the B-wing. Screenshot
“There are many opportunities for children to use their minds in a variety of ways, and there are many job opportunities that our communities in RSU 9 are really looking for,” said Dick Bjorn, founder of the Beyour Foundation.
A statement from the Foundation said, “Mr. Bjorn and the Foundation see the critical need in our community to provide great opportunities for young people to participate in learning with their hearts, minds and hands. They are willing to support this demand with the construction expansion on MBMS.
Both Black and Elkington said this would be one of the first programs in the state.
Although in the early stages of planning, managers are considering programs in information technology, architecture and hospitality and tourism.
The new Bjorn Vocational and Technical Education Center, supported by the Bjorn Foundation, is Mt. Screenshot
The new 5,000-square-foot extension of the B-wing includes three new large, open spaces, a small room and additional storage for the middle school.
At a board meeting on June 14, Elkington said the gap could change at the final price.
The Bjorn Foundation will provide financial support for all construction and equipment purchases, Elkington told the board.
From then on, it will be up to RSU 9 to cover the costs.
The district must cover additional electricity, cooling, cleaning and maintenance costs, additional instructional space, and program materials.
However, Black and Elkton believe that other learning spaces could be adapted to provide the center with teachers.
“At a cost of less than $ 100,000, we believe we can build a hands-on learning center [prepare students for] There is much work to be done in our community in the future, ”said Elkington.
He believes the impact of the Black Middle School Center will spread throughout the district.
According to Black, the center will provide opportunities for alternative education, prevent dropouts, involve students in their overall education, and prepare for the Foster Tech program.
“Middle school kids really have a hard time here. A lot of changes are happening, they’re coming from the first grade, and then they’re coming out here as high school students, ”Black said. “in order to [it’s about] Finding activity programs, things that keep them active.
“It gives us a way to connect with the children, to connect with the school,” says Elkington. “If students are more interested in learning, they will focus more on other school activities… and there are places where they don’t know they can be successful.”
He added that the programs can increase attendance and effectiveness and reduce behavioral problems.
Black believes Bjorn’s Vocational and Technical Education Center will be a “model for the future of schools.”
“We desperately need people to do business around the country – there are not enough people to do business. “I think [the center] Like, ‘Hey, these are very lucrative jobs and it’s going to show kids the possibilities that there may be things you might like.
Administrators hope that the center will eventually be open to students outside of RSU 9.
Elkington expects the center to be ready for students by the end of the 2023-24 or 2024-25 school year.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds for the next two or three years as we carry out this project,” Black said. “Once all this is said and done, it will be a beautiful event. The dream came true.
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