Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus swears in new board president at meeting, updates members on classes

At a recent organizational meeting, the Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus School board swore in its new president, with treasurer Lindsey Elly swearing in the new president, Barb Klingensmith.

Barb Klingensmith has been a board member at A-Tech for nearly ten years, and represents the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center. This appointment will be a three-year term.

At the organizational meeting several other members were sworn in for three-year terms as well: Michael Kennedy and Dr. Harlan Waid, Jr. were so named.

Dr. Waid was originally appointed to A-Tech’s Board in 2006, and also represents the Educational Service Center. Kennedy represents Conneaut Area City School and was originally appointed to the board in 2007.

Also appointed to new positions were Ashtabula Area City Schools representative Debra Barrickman who will now serve as vice president, and, representing Ashtabula Area City Schools, William Niemi, who was named the new Student Achievement Liaison.

Sally Fisher and Gus Saikaly, who represent Geneva Area City Schools and Ashtabula County Educational Service Center, respectively, will continue their terms. 

Superintendent Schoot Wludyga spoke at the meeting about the success seen by A-Tech’s recent adult programs. Both the cosmetology and volunteer firefighter programs saw a pass rate of 100%.

More new classes were discussed, as well: a new Cosmetology class and a new phlebotomy class, both starting in late January of this year. 

There were updates on other classes such as the 30-hour welding course, which 14 students have finished, and a State Tested Nursing Assistant class which is now underway.

Wludyga, who was quoted in a Yahoo! News article, said, "We're seeing more adults take advantage of learning new skills and expanding their opportunities to earn more.”

Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus accept financial aid requests for students who qualify.

A-Tech high school is now also accepting applications and several of its programs are expected to have waiting lists.

Those seeking more information about Ashtabula County Technical Career Campus, its courses, and other opportunities can visit the school’s website.