TCTC director looking toward satellite classes in Greenville and Newport

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DEXTER — With 41 years in education, Patrick O’Neill knows the challenges of balancing a strong curriculum with available funding.
    What makes the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) in Dexter stand out, however, is the school’s commitment to directly prepare high school students for the job market. “We need to stop ‘youth flight’ from Maine. We’re teaching skills that are needed in the state,” said O’Neill. “We have nine programs that are doing very well in Dexter. Now we feel it’s time to branch out.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    LEARNING THE SKILLS — Health occupation class students Kayla Braley (left) and Courtney Brackett change the leg wound dressing on “Bob,” the simulated male patient, at TCTC.

    O’Neill will ask the TCTC Board of Directors on Jan. 23 to take the first step toward setting up satellite programs at Greenville Consolidated School and Nokomis Regional High School in Newport. The two high schools are already sending students to TCTC but O’Neill feels that it’s time to establish on-site classes that directly relate to the schools’ unique job markets.
    O’Neill envisions a brand new program for Greenville Consolidated School (Union 60), similar to the outdoor leadership and skills class offered at Somerset Career and Technical Center in Skowhegan. “Our curriculum would be geared toward the tourism industry,” O’Neill explained. “This would attract a whole new group of students as well as some already enrolled in our criminal justice program who might be interested in the Maine Warden Service.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    SCALING UP TO THE TASK — Helping with medical exams are part of the TCTC health occupations class, starting with obtaining a patient’s height and weight. Pictured are Kayla Kimball, left, and “patient” Alex Newhall.

    During discussions with RSU 19 Superintendent Greg Potter, O’Neill said that an emergency medical technician or firefighting class would be a good fit for the Newport area. “There seems to be plenty of job opportunities in those fields,” O’Neill said.
    Once O’Neill gets the backing from the TCTC directors, they’ll conduct a survey of the two schools to determine the needs of the sites and potential numbers. O’Neill said he’d like to see 24 students in the Greenville program for starters. An advisory board would then be created and a funding mechanism set up.
    Start-up costs would have to be borne by SAD 46, O’Neill explained, because it’s the “home district” for TCTC. However, the cost would eventually be spread out among the two school units with the new programs. “People in this area understand the value of a good education,” O’Neill said.
    Brian Welsh, TCTC’s director of student services, said he also feels that the time is ripe for TCTC to branch out. “We have 254 kids enrolled right now and we’re looking to increase that number to 313 next year,” Welsh said. “Frankly, we’re running out of room here.”
    O’Neill said that the stereotype of underperforming “trade school” students is rapidly evaporating. “Every single course we teach here requires science and math skills,” O’Neill said. “For some students, TCTC is the deal-breaker between staying in school and dropping out. But they’re leaving here with marketable job skills.”
    TCTC currently has classes in automotive technology, building trades, commercial truck driving, computer systems repair, criminal justice, culinary arts, graphic design and communication, health occupations and metals manufacturing.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    CULINARY DELIGHTS — Sarah Labrecque and Nick Colomy cut and decorate cookies in the Tri-County Technical Center culinary arts class.

    Some, like commercial truck driving, are full with a waiting list. Most courses are only offered to juniors and seniors, but a pre-technical program for freshmen and sophomores is also available for some students.
    “TCTC is for people who want to succeed,” said O’Neill. “If they make a commitment to use, we’re committed to them.”
    Attempt to reach Union 60 Superintendent Beth Lorigan by press deadline were unsuccessful.