Jackson Schools Exploring Potential For Vocational School

Jackson County School System is exploring the potential to create a vocational school in the county.

Director of Schools Kristy Brown said that with funding passed in Governor Bill Lee’s budget, they want to try and expand CTE options in the county.

“What we found is that any classes that can be offered on the Jackson County campus, are more accessible,” Brown said. “And we find that the enrollment is higher. And our goal is to provide as many opportunities to our students as possible.”

Brown said that the plan is currently sitting in the preliminary stages. She said that she has reached out to people like consultants who can help the board make the best decisions possible.

Brown said that the vocational school could also serve as a contingency plan should their contract with TCAT Hartsville fall through. She said that system has also been working on its partnership with TCAT Livingston as well.

“We want to keep all of the options open for our students,” Brown said. “TCAT Livingston is our service provider and the classes that are offered on campus currently are provided by TCAT Livingston so I would foresee any expansion that we did or any programs that we added would be provided by TCAT Livingston going forward.”

Brown said that the potential for a vocational school is an exciting prospect for the school system. She said that it could open the door to further adult education as well.

“So the bigger vision here is to be possibly a regional place for career and technical education in the Upper Cumberland,” Brown said.