manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and early childhood education. Decatur County Memorial Hospital is one of the largest regional employers, and the district’s science labs, Z-Space virtual lab, and mock hospital suite mirror the standards of university-level education. Students train in nursing, medical science, and health technologies, then apply their skills in local hospital and care facilities. Students graduate with CNA certifications, child development associate credentials, and welding certifications that align directly with industry expectations. “We create the best possible students,” Hunter emphasizes. “It’s the employer’s job—not the school’s—to train them for a specific assembly line. Our job is preparing them with skills that translate anywhere.” Early childhood education is another standout program—now serving more than 100 students— further strengthened by a new partnership with a daycare facility housed in a repurposed district building. Students walk down the hallway to gain hands-on experience, creating a pipeline to meet the region’s growing demand for early learning professionals. The welding program, supported by high-grade equipment and industry-aligned curriculum, has become a model for the region. Manufacturing employers consistently cite welding as a top need— and Greensburg students are graduating ready to fill it. A COMMUNITY THAT STEPS UP WHEN THE STATE STEPS BACK Federal and state funding pressures have affected dcmh.net 720 N Lincoln St., Greensburg 812-222-DOCS (3627) Serving Our Community for Over 100 Years 288 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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