News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Jackson County Schools will soon start taking bids for the CTE building project within the coming weeks.
Jackson County Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the building is approved and the plans are completed. Hardy said the plans are pending approval from the state Fire Marshal.
“Once they approve it they will come out and we should be able to put it out for bid,” Hardy said. “That will be a few weeks process and at our next board meeting we would like to have bids here where we can open them and when the school board picks the bid that they want to go with, we hope to get it going and break ground immediately after that.”
Hardy said the new building will expand career opportunities for the students. Hardy said it would take about a year and a half to complete the project.
“They tell us as quick as 12 months but in construction from what I hear you know, we are probably looking anywhere from 12-18 months,” Hardy said. “A fairly quick turnaround for you know, a construction project this size.”
Hardy said the new building will allow the schools to offer more efficient programs.
“Right now we don’t have a plan for anything new but we are going to expand on the ones we have,” Hardy said. “We keep up with this and we have workshops and we try to keep up with the labor demand, so really we want to look in our area of what is needed in the Upper Cumberland and try to get those programs whether that be welding, HVAC, or whatever and try to bring those so when our kids finish the program they are more likely to be able to stay in our area and have a great job.”
Hardy said providing a hands-on experience can attract some students and get them excited to go to school. Hardy said the excitement of going to school can lead to success in other subjects.
