The career center had been outgrowing its space. Programs were moving into areas that were serving other purposes. During the renovation, some students have continued their learning in the career center, others were moved to classrooms or mobile spaces at or near Warren Area High School, and one program moved to the district office in Russell.

The new building has a larger footprint and went from one story to three during the renovation. Not all of it is reserved for the career center.

The new, secure, single-point entrance, office spaces, and the district’s STEM lab are on the new lower level. The top floor is also brand new and houses the career center’s large-group instruction area and additional vocational training spaces for the district’s Strive Program.

In addition to LGI, there is a conference room and a large conference room. Warren County School District used to hold board meetings at the career center before the old conference room became more valuable as classroom space.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry The mobility room in the Health and Medical Assisting Suite at Warren County Career Center helps students prepare for work in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and even medical billing.

The career center’s classes and shops are situated on the first floor.

Visitors and students will see the brand new Hilltop Restaurant before another set of secure doors.

In the past, the restaurant was near the back of the career center, according to Principal Jim Evers, meaning visitors had to walk past several classes and shops to have lunch. Moving the Culinary Arts and Hospitality space to the front limits public access.

Several shops, including Culinary Arts, now have dedicated classroom spaces. Some shops were not appropriate places to locate helpful, but relatively delicate technology like smartboards, Evers said.

With each program including students in three different years, there are times when some students need to learn information and theory that others already have.

Times Oserver photo by Brian Ferry Brand new lifts in the Auto Tech shop at Warren County Career Center help students prepare for work as automotive technicians.

And, in some shops — like Welding — when students were working at their machines, it would get very difficult to hear, Evers said.

Providing separate classroom spaces for those programs clears up many of those problems.

Some shops are bigger than ever. The career center is one area of the district that has experienced population growth.

Health and Medical Assisting is seeing a lot of growth and its spaces reflect that. There are now spaces for phlebotomy, mobility, the sim lab, a hospital room including pediatric care, and classrooms.

The Auto Tech shop is bigger — and full of projects.

The Building Construction Occupation building is new, with enough space that students could work on building a modular home inside.

As COVID-19 stretches on and distancing requirements remain in effect, the larger spaces have been even more valuable, Evers said.

The building has some in-house security personnel. The Protective Services program includes full turn-out gear for all students, a police cruiser and a fire truck. Students are available for traffic control and perimeter security, and run or assist with all of the building’s drills. “The best part is putting a task to the education,” Teacher Mike Noe said. “That’s the part that gets them excited.”

Not every program has more square footage. But, there are improvements everywhere.

Students can work on a dedicated server in the Information Technology department.

There is a new 3D printer in the Pre-Engineering program that prints “chopped carbon fiber-infused nylon with continuous fiberglass reinforcement,” according to Teacher Dan Passmore.

The students don’t visit the mechanicals room during their programming, but the building’s water, heating, and ventilation systems are all brand new.

ROOM TO GROW

The work was not entirely focused on the needs in 2019.

The needs at the career center are ever changing. Space for as yet unknown needs was built in.

“There are two expansion rooms,” Evers said. “They are not assigned.”

There are some things that remain to be completed, but the students have returned and have full access to their programs’ spaces.

“We’re so thankful that it’s over, but it’s been an amazing process,” Evers said. “It’s really been nice having everybody together again.”