EXPANDING PATHWAYS: HEALTHCARE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND REGIONAL CAREER CENTER ACCESS Spencer-Owen’s work-based learning approach also includes internships aligned to student interest. Students have been placed at local organizations and institutions including the Owen Valley Health Campus, Limestone Fabricators, and other community-based employers. Internship availability shifts from year to year depending on student demand and partner capacity, but the district’s focus remains consistent: connect interests to experience. A new development is the launch of a law enforcement pathway taught by the district’s school resource officer, who is also leading reinvigorated D.A.R.E. programming at the elementary level. The officer, a retired Indiana state conservation officer, obtained the necessary workplace specialist license to teach one class daily, introducing students to law enforcement as a viable professional pathway. Early enrollment interest has been strong, with at least 15 students participating as the program develops. Spencer-Owen also partners with the regional career center Hoosier Hills Vocational School, located about 15 minutes away. Currently, around 40 to 45 students—primarily juniors and seniors—attend daily to access pathways such as welding, culinary, EMT, hospitality, automotive repair, and collision repair. These programs provide industry certifications that strengthen immediate employability after graduation. SECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS BUILT FOR LONG-TERM READINESS Alongside student programming, Spencer-Owen has made significant investments in facilities and operational infrastructure. A major current project nearing completion is a new transportation facility, funded through a bond. The facility was designed with future demand in mind. As contracted route providers age out of the system with fewer replacements coming behind them, the district anticipates taking on more routes directly, requiring increased bus ownership, maintenance capacity, and operational space. The district has also prioritized secure entry upgrades. Owen Valley Middle School recently completed renovations that created a secure entry structure and improved office flow. Similar secure vestibule improvements were completed at elementary schools, eliminating open access and establishing controlled entry points. 310 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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