show support,” notes Assistant Superintendent Grant Peters. Peters identifies facilities as vital long-term assets and explains that energy-efficient upgrades provide significant capital savings for the school corporation.“The $420,000 LED investment paid for itself within a year by cutting our energy expenditure significantly,” Peters explains.“Such savings allow us to redirect funds back into classroom instruction.” Preparing students for the professional world requires a mastery of interpersonal dynamics and high academic rigor across all educational departments. “We emphasize soft skills like eye contact and professional correspondence, which local employers identify as critical workforce gaps,” says High School Principal Warren Cook. He observes that grading grammar and punctuation in every subject ensures students maintain professional standards throughout their secondary education. “We are producing well-rounded humans who understand respect and work ethic,” Cook asserts.“Our graduates enter the workforce ready to provide a full day’s work because they practiced professionalism daily.” BUILDING TOMORROW’S TALENT PIPELINE “The Rush County Talent Collaborative functions as a monthly strategic summit where we bridge the gap between education and local industry needs,” Jameson explains. Jameson notes that the partnership has catalyzed the development of specialized tracks in Fire, Police, and EMT services in conjunction with the city. The district utilizes Career and Technical Education (CTE) to provide students with immediate marketplace utility. “We are not just offering classes; we are building a talent pipeline for the city’s essential services,” Peters says. He emphasizes that the curriculum allows students to secure high-demand credentials while remaining within the local economic ecosystem. Professional certifications are facilitated through a strategic alliance with KLR Medical Certification Training School.“Students can graduate as certified dental or veterinary technicians, entering the workforce with specialized skills that command competitive wages,” Cook states, observing that the program’s success is mirrored in the district’s collaboration with Rush Memorial Hospital. The hospital provides practical internship rotations and supplies each participating senior with a personal computer for their post-secondary transition. “Our goal is to ensure that a student’s graduation from high school is also a professional entry point into the healthcare sector,” Jameson notes. The Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education (ICE) program allows seniors to spend half their school day gaining on-the-job experience with local contractors. “I have a student currently earning twenty dollars per hour as an electrical lineman before he even receives his diploma,” Cook says. He points out that the integration of labor and learning demonstrates the tangible value of vocational training in trades like HVAC and plumbing. By partnering with local 207 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02 RUSH COUNTY SCHOOLS
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