Peter Cervelli, executive director for the Dade County Industrial Development Authority, speaks about a 26,000-square-foot expansion to Lake Region Medical’s facility in Dade County. Construction is underway at Lake Region Medical’s new expansion located off of S. Industrial Boulevard in Trenton, Ga.Dade County High School students might start punching in at a local manufacturing plant.
A school official and some business leaders met recently to talk about having some students ages 16 and up students spend part of their school days at Vanguard, a semi-trailer manufacturer that opened in Trenton, Ga., in October. Under the plan, students would go to class for a couple of hours, then head out to the plant.
“Some students don’t seek to go on to colleges,” said Carolyn Bradford, chairwoman of the Dade County Board of Education. “All students aren’t meant to go to college. This gives them a step toward making their future better.”
The plan is in an early stage and details are vague. Officials with the school system, local businesses and the state don’t know how many students could be involved, what kind of work they could do or even whether Vanguard is committed to the concept.
Plant manager Kevin Black could not be reached for comment last week because he was in China, an assistant said. But last month, Black discussed the plan with Dade County Industrial Development Executive Director Peter Cervelli and James Cantrell, the school system’s former director of college and career education.