Civil Municipal Magazine - Dec 2023

245 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 BEN HI LL COUNT Y SCHOOL DISTRICT program now that if our kids get certified in CNA they can actually go into a program to become an LPN,” Clements elaborates. “We have a great commitment from Wiregrass. They teach welding for our students, automotive, all kinds of stuff. We’re doing industrial systems now, which is a big need, and telecommunications have started this year. They support us, they support our community, and we have a great relationship with them through our College and Career Academy as well.” Infrastructure Investment with an Emphasis on Early Learning Ben Hill County Schools has made substantial investments in its infrastructure and educational facilities in collaboration with architectural firm James W. Buckley and Associates. “They’ve been a partner for a long time, and they’ve done a great job,” Clements maintains. Most recently, the district undertook a $5 million renovation project which transformed the pre-K building, expanding it to accommodate 300 students. These classrooms are not only creating a strong foundation for academic success but also serving students with disabilities, fostering an inclusive educational environment. BHCS has also directed CARES funds towards additional early learning classes. “We’ve made a big investment in our early learning because the sooner that we can get students on our campus and start them off with reading and speaking and all those fundamental things, we feel like it’s going to make a big impact on their lifelong learning,” Clement emphasizes. The FLEX Program: Empowering Student Entrepreneurs The Fitzgerald Leadership & Entrepreneur X-perience (FLEX) program, initiated by the Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce and designed by chamber president Melissa Dark, is an exceptional initiative that nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit in students. FLEX empowers students by giving them the opportunity to create and manage their own businesses. As part of this program, participants receive essential training in business planning, along with $100 in startup funds. Clement shares, “They have a panel that comes in and judges those students on the criteria that they set, and whoever wins that wins $5,000 at the local level,