The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Group hears about importance of JVS
The current class of Leadership Lorain County gathered Dec. 5 at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School, 15181 state Route 58 in Oberlin, to speak with administrators and staff at the school about the educational opportunities in the county.
“We have been seen as the best kept secret in the county, which sounds positive, but that is something we need to change,” said Glenn Faircloth, superintendent of the Lorain County JVS. “We need to more aggressively share what we do here ... what the students are able to do when enrolling at the JVS.”
Faircloth said the school has begun to lay out a more comprehensive strategic plan.
“It is looking at where we want to be in five years time,” he said. “The goal is to be the model career tech center in Ohio.
“We want to be the pioneers and have others call us asking how we implement certain programs. We’ve already been doing that, but we need to record and communicate it more.
“Our levy went up in November, but we failed. We now want to go out and communicate better with the community and show them what we do here and why there is a need.”
Faircloth said people at the vocational school are
doing amazing things.
“We have so many programs and the young people here are doing some great work,” he said. “I’m proud of what I see everyday.
“Our students are doing what they love ... and the instructors do a great job of teaching them and challenging them to do their best.”
Faircloth then challenged those in attendance to support the school.
“The effects of not supporting the school will be felt,” he said. “The lack of skilled tradesmen and women will limit what we
can do in the county.
“We, in time of emergency, will end up turning to help from out of the county.”
Jennifer Gercak, director of programs, marketing and communications with Leadership Lorain County, said visiting the JVS was part of the class’s education theme.
“The class is comprised of leaders of different organizations in the county,” Gercak said. “The class meets once a month to learn how to be better leaders in the community.
“Today, we’re focusing on education. We went to
the JVS because too few people know about the JVS and what it does.”
Gercak said the trip is meant to raise awareness.
“They have a lot of programs here and have students that are ready to enter the work field on day one,” she said. “The people in our class work for businesses that are not fully aware of the schools in their communities and the challenges they face.
“We are going to different schools to help prove this point and show the current class the education landscape in Lorain County.”