State Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview and Cullman Regional’s Lindsey Dossey / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN – The close relationship between the Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) and the area’s businesses and industries has been well-documented. On Thursday, the CCBOE took a little time to thank them for their support.
At Top of the Town, school officials welcomed representatives from Topre, Rehau, Yutaka, Royal Technologies, Cullman Regional and others. Also in attendance were Cullman County mayors and members of the Cullman County Commission, industrial and economic development agencies, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Cullman County, Wallace State Community College and the area’s state legislative delegation. There was no fundraising or program promotion; it was just a time for Superintendent Shane Barnette and his staff to say thanks.
“We have many partners at Cullman County Schools,” said CCBOE Special Projects Coordinator Dr. T.J. Franey. “We just wanted to say thanks to everybody for all they do for Cullman County Schools, and for our community. We don’t get opportunity enough to say, ‘Thank you,’ and so this was just an opportunity for us to get together and let them know how much we appreciate them.”
Barnette echoed Franey’s comments, “Our only purpose today is to tell industry and business leaders how much we appreciate their partnership with Cullman County Schools. We’re not asking for anything today; we’re just saying, ‘Thank you,” because it takes every one of us working together to help our students be successful. And they partner with us in so many different areas.”
The Tribune caught Cullman Regional’s Lindsey Dossey and Cullman Area Technology Academy Principal conversing happily about the achievement of CATA’s most recent Patient Care Assistant students, who were able to boast a 100 percent passing rate on their Certified Nursing Assistant exams.
“This is what I live for,” said Troutman, “this is a skill, no matter where you go. It’s a lot of extra work for the kids; it’s work they wouldn’t have to do to pass the class. It’s something they choose to do, and it’s very rigorous. The fact that we had 17 out of 17 get the credential is unbelievable.”
Dossey added, “The training that they receive through their Health Science program is really more in-depth than they would get at any other certification program. Usually a certification program for a CNA is very short; they (CATA Health Science students) are actually going through a lot more rigorous training, which makes them ideal candidates for us.”
Troutman responded, “That’s what we like to hear. If the businesses say that about us, it means we’ve accomplished our purpose. That’s our goal in life.”
Barnette says he looks forward to seeing such partnerships grow in the time ahead. Reflecting back on the year of experience he’s had with local businesses and industries, he concluded, “I’m looking forward to another year of working with them. I feel like the relationship’s better today than it’s ever been, and we have more networks and partnerships in Cullman County than we’ve ever had; and we’re looking forward to even more partnerships, and having even more opportunities for the students. We’re really excited about it.”
Related:
http://cullmansense.com/articles/2017/05/18/big-year-cata-health-science-students
http://cullmansense.com/articles/2017/02/17/cata-showcases-career-programs-open-house-event
http://cullmansense.com/articles/2017/02/01/tools-life-cullman-area-technology-academy-opens-doors-public
http://cullmansense.com/articles/2017/01/19/county-schools-superintendent-shane-barnette-addresses-state-dept-education
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