The new $11.4 million Allen County Career and Technical Center (ACCTC) opened to students this morning as second semester classes resumed in the Allen County School District.
“It feels great to be in the new building,” noted Adonica Spears, Director of the Tech Center. “I’m really proud of the way the building turned out. It’s going to be great for our kids. They will have new technology, new equipment, and more space to be able to work in. I’m really excited about it.”
Students occupying the building represent the latest phase in a multi-year project to replace the old technical center building---a building that opened in 1970 as the Allen County Vocational School. Several years ago, the Allen County Board of Education begin to look at renovation of the 40-year old building before deciding that replacing the aging and outdated structure was a better option than a complete renovation.
“This has been about a two-and-a-half year project and to finally see kids in the building and putting it to use is nice,” added Brian Carter, Director of District Operations for Allen County Schools. “It’s not completely done since we have some minor clinks to work out but to see the kid’s eyes walking in this morning was great. It’s a lot different building that the old Tech Center.”
Ground work on the new state-of-the-art facility begin in the summer of 2013 and progressed on schedule for most of the past year-and-a-half. The building houses classes in business and marketing, career options, computer applications, drafting, health sciences, industrial maintenance, electricity, and automotive technology. The front part of the facility is a two-story complex with the rear section being one story and a combination of classroom and shop space. Space is available for future class offerings in career and technical fields.
The building is located in front of the Allen County-Scottsville High School building and connected to the high school by an indoor corridor. This means that for the first time in the 45-year history of the schools, students can walk between classes at the high school and classes at the Tech Center without having to go outside---a move that not only enhances security but reduces the time it takes for students to transition between classes.
ACCTC teacher Marideth Trammel is one of several teachers in the building that were students in the old vocational school building before returning to teach in the old building and now making the move to the new facility. Trammell is excited about what the building will offer students.
“Just look at the technology that is around us,” Trammel said. “We have new computers and new boards. We have tables to work on and not just the computer-type tables we had in the old building. It’s just a lot to take in. It’s amazing to see what’s here for the students.”
The building also includes cutting-edge building technology---highlighted by a new daylight harvesting system designed to help the building be more energy efficient.
The coming days will see students and staff “settling in” to the new building and unpacking from the move from the old building. An official open house for the building is being planned for February.