Mayor Wamp proposes vocational program investment in 6 schools
HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp proposed spending $3 million on technical programs at six local high schools.
The money will go into existing programs at the schools.
“Each of these opportunities to expand career and technical education was identified over the last year and a half as I visited these programs firsthand,” said Mayor Wamp. “It’s encouraging to see more and more students pursue a skilled trade through our local schools, and I look forward to working alongside the County Commission and Hamilton County Schools to further expand career pathways for students across Hamilton County.”
Here is where the money would go:
Harrison Bay Future Ready Center: $1.5 million
(Serves students at Central High School, East Hamilton High School and Ooltewah High School)
- With a waiting list of more than 100 students, this investment will create four new classrooms, enabling enrollment to double from 250 to 500 students over the next three to five years.
- Installation of an elevator guaranteeing accessibility for all students
- Upgrading equipment for Advanced Manufacturing and Architecture and Construction pathways ensuring students train on the latest technologies so they are prepared to enter the workforce
The Howard School: $1 million
- Addition of a state-of-the-art ventilation system for welding classrooms, enhancing the health and safety of students and teachers while expanding the number of students who are able to participate in the program.
East Ridge High School: $500,000
- Providing industry-standard construction and automotive equipment to ensure the school’s growing CTE pathways provide students with the proper hands-on training that will prepare them to enter the workforce upon completion of programming.
Hixson High School: $250,000
- Hamilton County Schools’ first “pipeline partnership,” in which students in a CTE program can receive hands-on training with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service and an opportunity to earn a job with the agency upon graduation.
