The Aug. 11 Mayfield Rebuild Education Branch meeting was held via Zoom at 4 p.m. Those attending were co-chairs Kim Martin and Lorena Godinez, Wendy Puckett, Allyssa Binkley and Mary Anne Medlock, as well as chair Eric Walker.
Mr. Walker offered updates on the July 28 Mayfield Rebuilds Community Project Presentations and Aug. 1 Professional Development Day for Graves County and Mayfield Independent teachers. The Project Presentation was held at the WKRECC Community Room to a large crowd. Each committee or branch of the Mayfield Rebuilds executive committee provided an update on their progress. Education’s update consisted of the proposed introduction to vocational trades to elementary and middle school students, as well as promoting educational opportunities to impending and recent graduates and adults in the community seeking to expand their skills for the workforce.
Around 30 educators from Graves County and Mayfield’s schools participated in the Professional Development Day. Working with Graves County Economic Development, educators were provided tours of PRCO America (which will begin production on refractory bricks for steel furnaces) and Progress Rail. Officials with both companies shared what type of employees they are looking for, various careers in the industry, education needs and skills. ACE Compressors owner Johnnie Lee spoke on a similar topic and Mrs. Medlock provided information from West Kentucky Workforce Board related to insights on the regional workforce makeup.
A survey was provided to each participant of the PD Day. To date, 11 responses have been gathered and all have been positive and hope to continue this type of PD to learn more about local business and industry.
Under New Business, Walker asked if members of the Education Branch would be willing to look over the Expanding ATC Opportunities overview presented in our June meeting for the purpose of presenting it to FEMA and its philanthropy division. Elaine Jansen with FEMA, who attended the June meeting, said there could possibly be funders available. Mrs. Medlock noted there may be grants available through the Delta Regional Authority and Tennessee Valley Authority.
Walker also shared about an event on Sept. 21 through the Murray-Calloway County CHamber of Commerce called SPARK. The event is a hands-on career fair for the schools’ 8th Graders to attend at the CFSB Center. They will be offered experiences with various careers from healthcare to industrial engineering to firefighting.
As part of the public suggestions for education, we currently have skilled trade education, skilled training centers and life skills taught at the middle and high school levels. Mr Walker, Mrs. Medlock, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Puckett have been in discussion of working together to help raise awareness of these areas.
The Education Branch’s next meeting will be Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce.
