Construction begins at career academy
Special to Daily News
Construction is underway on the $3.3 million Jasper County Career Academy on the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Newton Campus.
The DMACC Jasper County Career Academy will offer career and technical programs for area high school students during the day and depending on demand, college credit classes in the evening. The new facility will be created from Maytag/Whirlpool buildings 36 and 86, located directly behind the DMACC Newton Campus. It’s scheduled to open in Fall 2009.
“Modeled after its counterpart in Story County, the Jasper County Career Academy will be a valuable resource to students and to economic development as high-skilled graduates serve the entire region,” said Rob Denson, president and CEO of DMACC. “Much of the credit goes to the five Jasper County school districts for collaborating with DMACC to make this project happen.”
School districts participating in the career academy are Lynnville-Sully, Newton, Baxter, PCM and Colfax-Mingo.
School districts outside Jasper County may also send students to the Career Academy, depending on program openings and space availability.
“We are looking forward to expanding our campus’ educational capacity to serve this important region and function. The DMACC Newton Campus will now offer more and do more for residents and the business communities alike.” said Mary Entz, Provost
Automotive technologies, auto body, welding and building trades will be among the career and technical areas initially offered to high school students.
“We liked what we saw during a visit to the Story County Career Academy in Ames two years ago,” said Steve McDermott, Newton Community School District superintendent. “We wanted to offer the same benefits and opportunities to our students in Jasper County. While we had many details to work out with DMACC and among the school districts, we’re now able to turn a vision into reality.”
McDermott said Newton Senior High School will soon begin parent and student sessions to promote the many benefits and great opportunities available at the Jasper County Career Academy.
“Our job is to help students be competitive and succeed. As students determine their career paths, this facility represents a wonderful bridge between high school and postsecondary education,” said McDermott.
The new facility will have four lab areas, three classrooms with SMART boards, and office space. Outside, a green space will separate the Career Academy from the main DMACC building. Entz said she hopes a walking trail and native prairie grasses will become part of the campus landscape.
The Newton Provost said she’s expecting 150 high school boys and girls to enroll in the Career Academy when it opens next fall.
Doug Williams, DMACC Vice President for Business Services, said 11 general contractors responded to the bid request from the College. Baxter was the low bidder.
Baxter was the general contractor for the just-completed Health Sciences Building on the DMACC Ankeny Campus.
