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SALINEVILLE -- A new welding lab will provide students with hands on training at the Utica Shale Academy this school year.
On Tuesday, the board of the Utica Shale Academy accepted a $200,000 Equity grant, which the school is combining with another $200,000 Equity grant provided through their partner, Southern Local Schools to purchase all the equipment needed for the new lab.
The welding lab will allow Utica Shale Academy students to learn hands on welding skills and gain career path credentials through Lincoln Electric Welding. It will be located downstairs in the Kenneth Hutson Building in Salineville where the school is hoping to relocate in time to welcome most students back to the program this fall.
The board also approved a nearly $1,000 per teacher for two instructors to attend a Lincoln Electric Welding virtual training seminar, so those instructors will be ready when the lab is in place.
Superintendent Bill Watson said he is in the process of getting all the permits needed to open that building, but is still waiting for American Electric Power to determine what transformer the building will need to provide power to the welding lab equipment and other equipment for the building.
While the school has equipment and desks moved into the upstairs of the building, the basement equipment may not be in place when school begins. However, Watson said the safety training students need to take before beginning to use the welding equipment takes a few weeks to complete, so the delay should not be a problem.
Additionally, the board approved an Aug. 1 start date for a short list of students ready to get started in credit recovery classes. Another start date for the remaining students will be four to six weeks later.
The board also approved:
-- A graduation pathway giving students a local community service seal, which students can receive for completing 20 hours of documented community service. Watson said they are planning to make improvements at the park in Salineville near the building, but students can also earn hours by helping at the local food pantry or other approved projects.
-- The extension of the summer learning program, so instructors can continue to contact and work with students who need guidance and motivation to finish work and receive their diplomas during July and August.
-- The board accepted $10,000 in ESSER funding from Commissioner Mike Halleck, after commissioners recently approved the Utica Shale Academy as one of the entities to receive some of the COVID-related relief money.
-- The next board meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Aug. 10.
djohnson@mojonews.com