Central High student describes 12 for Life apprenticeship path; district to place Southwire MOA on consent agenda

A Central High School senior told the Carroll County Board of Education on Tuesday that the district’s 12 for Life manufacturing and mechatronics pathway has prepared him for immediate work and further apprenticeship training, while staff recommended the board place a memorandum of agreement with primary partner Southwire on the upcoming consent agenda.

Student spotlight: Christian Long, a senior at Central High School, spoke to the board about his experience in the 12 for Life program and in the industrial maintenance pathway. He said he has completed two rigorous pathways (manufacturing and mechatronics) and plans to continue postsecondary apprenticeship training at West Georgia Technical College.

“Anyone that would be willing to put in the time and the effort can do, if not better, the same,” Christian told the board. He said he has a 3.8 GPA while working two years in high school and described hands-on coursework including ACDC circuitry, PLC (programmable logic controller) programming, pneumatics and motor controls. He said the district’s partnership with Southwire pays his tuition and provides paid hours: 20 hours per week while he takes coursework and then 20 hours per week at the plant.

District staff and CTAE update: Cindy Clayton, the district’s CTAE (career, technical and agricultural education) director, described the 12 for Life partnership with Southwire as a regional model and introduced Christian to the board. Superintendent Scott Cowher and other staff thanked Joel Grubbs, the district’s 12 for Life coordinator, who was in the audience.

CTAE monitoring and MOA: The board was told the College and Career Academy (CCA) five-year CTAE monitoring visit is scheduled, and staff noted the district codified Southwire as the primary partner for the 12 for Life program last year. Clayton said the annual MOA with Southwire and secondary partners (Bridal City, Carrollton City, Heard County and Haralson County school systems) is attached in the board packet and recommended that the MOA be placed on the consent agenda for the Thursday board meeting for formal action.

Discussion vs. decision: Christian’s remarks were part of a student spotlight and public appreciation for the CTAE program; the MOA with Southwire was only recommended for placement on the consent agenda and was not approved at the work session. Staff indicated readiness to answer questions and recommended the MOA be forwarded to the consent agenda for the regular board meeting.

Clarifying details: Clayton said Christian has been in 12 for Life for about a year and a half and has worked in the industrial maintenance program for three semesters. Christian said roughly 23 students per year participate in related training and that the program offers multiple career pathways including HVAC and electrical work. Clayton told the board the MOA and related documents appear in the e-Board packet and staff recommended placing the MOA on the consent agenda.