Grant Program Officially Underway in Allen County Schools
(by Don Meador)
A recently received federal grant to Allen County Schools is a win-win for students, parents, business and industry, and the community. The five-year, $7.4 million Perkins Innovation & Modernization Grant will help students as they pursue a path toward college or a path toward entrance into a profession for life. The grant will be used as the Allen County-Scottsville High School, the Allen County Career and Technical Center, and the James E. Bazzell Middle School implement the Pathways, Proficiency, and Promotion (P3) project.
Wednesday, March 13, Allen County school officials officially announced the grant and outlined the project during a luncheon at the high school. Honored guests for the announcement were members of the local and area business and industry community and government leaders. The luncheon coincided with the annual Career Fair at AC-SH---a day when seniors and underclassmen have an opportunity to see what career options are available in Allen County and southcentral Kentucky. Over 50 industry, business, and governmental agencies had booths for the students to gain information in career fields including health care, law enforcement, skilled trades, industry, transportation, hair care, small business, ag businesses, banking, and media.
“Our vision is that every graduate of Allen County-Scottsville High School leaves with a clear career pathway, aligned with their passions and interests, and equipped with the necessary skills for a chosen field,” explained Allen County School Superintendent Travis Hamby. “Our job is to be a coach that guides students toward post-secondary options that best suit their aspirations, be it entering the workforce directly, pursuing further education, vocational training, or entering the military. In order to achieve this, we recognize the importance of providing varied educational experiences that allows students to explore various career pathways, identify their strengths, discover their passions, acknowledge their weaknesses, and make informed decisions about their future.”
Hamby added that a community that understands the need and shares the hopes of the school district already stands at the ready.
“We are fortunate to reside in a community and a region that values prosperity,” Hamby noted. “To ensure our collected success we must cultivates a skilled workforce that meats the demands of our local industries. Today’s event underscores our commitment to line up education with the needs of our community, region, and foster strong partnerships between school, industries, and government indemnities. Today holds special significance as we embark on a journey toward transformative change.”
Wednesday’s announcement capped a process in which officials with Allen County Schools decided to pursue the Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant from the United States Department of Education. . Hamby explained the grant and the process involved to receive the multi-million dollar award.
“The program is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and evaluating evidenced-based and innovative strategies to enhance career and technical education to assure that the skills taught align with the demands of the labor market,” Hamby told luncheon attendees. “The Department of Education received over 160 applications from 43 states and the District of Columbia with requests totality over $860 million. Following a rigorous process, only 19 entries were selected. We are proud and elated to announce that Allen County Schools is among the chosen recipients.”
Hamby praised the Allen County Board of Education for their support.
“The commitment of the Allen County Board of Education to our students and the best opportunities for success is truly commendable,” Hamby said. “I am truly grateful for their support and leadership throughout this grant process. It is worth noting that they have placed a significant commitment and pledged a 50% match to this grant, demonstrating their belief and the importance of investing in our students’ futures and our community. Their vision and dedication are valuable assets to our District.”
Hamby added that the P3 grant lays a foundation for opportunities that can be endless.
“This grant is more than just financial support,” Hamby pointed out. “It represents a game-changing opportunity for our students and community. This grant will affect every student in the high school providing them with expanding opportunities for career exploration, internships, apprenticeships, and dual credit programs. The ripple effect will extend beyond our school walls. It will contribute to developing a vibrant and robust workforce, fostering economic growth and prosperity within our community and region. The work ahead will require the collaborative effort of everyone in this room. We are elated about the possibilities that lie ahead.”
The luncheon also included remarks from a special guest. Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the US Department of Education.
“In this work, we recognize that it takes a village to build a pathway,” Dr. Loyd said. “I had the joy of touring the career fair today and I heard from a colleague something unique about this place (AC-SH) is that they have a career day, a hiring day, and a signing day. You are giving every young person the opportunity to have a vision for his or her future and a plan to achieve it. Mark Twain said that, the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. What you are doing here in Allen County is helping make sure every young person finds his or her why. We are so excited about that.”
Loyd expressed her belief that the plans for the P3 project aligns with those of the US Department of Education.
“Our vision is that every single young person is headed to a career,” Dr. Loyd added. “We want our young people and their families to be able to make meaniful choices about their future. We are here because we believe in the power of career and technical education to transform our communities, our economies, and our nation.”
Veteran Allen County educator and administrator Joseph Cosby will serve as the Project Director of the P3 Grant. Cosby is highly familiar with both career and technical education and leadership. As a student at the Allen County Vocational School Cosby learned skills, which led to local employment as a mechanic and in construction. Later, Cosby entered the educational field as an automotive teacher at the Vocational School for 14 years. He then served as principal at the Vocational School as it transitioned to the Allen County Career and Technical Center. Switching leadership roles, Cosby served as principal at AC-SH before moving into personal and transportation roles at the Allen County Central Office.
In his new position, Cosby returns to an area of education that is very close to his heart.
“I’m an ecstatic about this opportunity with this grant,” Cosby said. “We have good programs here but we always can improve as we intend to do with this grant. Our goal is to revamp and redesign our programs.”
The new director noted his belief that what lies ahead for students in Allen County are opportunities, which will be life changing.
“I stand before you as someone whose life was deeply impacted by technical education,” Cosby said. “Sorry if I get emotional but this is emotional to me. I know what this grant will do for Allen County Schools. It is my passion. As the project director, I’m driven on a single mission---to expand the horizons of career and technical education to all students. The opportunity presented by this grant are unprecedented. Think about how $7.4 million can affect the students. We also want to make sure this grant goes further down the road than five years. Our focus is clear. We want to make sure that our students have access to high-demand solid pathways that leads to a meaniful career.”
Cosby emphasized that the P3 project is not only aimed at students looking for a pathway to a career and technical education future, but also designed to include students whose goals are driven through a college educational pathway.
“We aim to increase the availability of dual credit classes,” Cosby added. “We will expand it to the high school. We want to expand our early college program. This provides students a chance to enhance their education and gain valuable entry certifications recognized at a national level.”
The P3 program will also give greater opportunities to students who may face educational challenges.
“We are also dedicated to break down the barriers for every students,” Cosby added. “This includes students with exceptional needs and those students with economical challenge. This includes providing textbooks, transportation, and providing safety equipment and clothing. We are committed to ensure that every student has the tools to succeed. Our vision is to see every student fulfill their promise.”
Cosby called on the business and industry leaders in attendance to help the vision become reality.
“We cannot achieve this vision alone,” Cosby said. “We are relying on you. People like you will help bridge the gap between education and industry. It’s people like you that will help assure a skilled workforce for the future by helping provide a rigorous education for our students.”
The P3 grant specifies that one to three pathways be added to the current list of 24 pathways available. Cosby noted that he would soon be reaching out to the local and area business leaders for their input on how to improve the pathways in the District, noting, “Your input and feedback is very important.” Further and enhanced collaboration with the community will be forthcoming along with a marketing plan to make sure all students are aware of what opportunities are available in school and in the community.
Cosby recognized several key individuals that helped to bring the grant to Allen County and those who will help guide the students forward. Tara Thomas was the grant writer who Cosby notes “is an awesome grant writer who, without her dedication, this grant would have never happened.” Chelly Taylor-Stamps will be the P3 Project Coordinator while Laura Carter will be the P3 Career Counselor. JEBMS eighth grade counselor Leah Krisher will work with students at the middle school---implementing a component of the P3 grant that involves introducing career and college pathways to students at the middle school.