MCCTC dedicates massive renovation

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By LINDA M. LINONIS

More than one visitor to a dedication ceremony and open house Sunday at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Canfield described the school as a “second home” because of the friendly and helpful teachers and staff.

Dedication of the center’s renovations and addition celebrated the school’s revitalization after the northwest wing was destroyed by a fire in May 2007. Renovation and rebuilding costs were $14 million.

Diane Kelly of Austintown toured the 35,000-square-foot expansion with her daughter Nicole Elko, a MCCTC graduate and now a Younstown State University student.

“I started YSU in the fall as a sophomore because the bio-technology classes I took gave me 16 credits,” Elko said. She praised teachers for giving students the opportunity for “hands-on” learning and exploring their own ideas.

Kelly said the school offered “so many opportunities.” She and her her daughter were among more than 1,000 people who toured the school Sunday afternoon, checking out the new information-technology labs, classrooms, conference center, new entrance and restaurant.

“It’s so open,” Elko said of the expansion.

Both mother and daughter said the school affords wonderful educational opportunities for high school students and adults. “It prepares you for the future,” Kelly said, adding her son, Robert Elko Jr., also is a MCCTC grad.

It was standing-room only in the Joyce E. Brooks conference room, where capacity is 400, where the formal dedication and ribbon-cutting took place.

Brooks, a 12-year MCCTC board member who has an extensive background in education, said the school has a wonderful working relationship with area businesses. “They tell us what’s needed, and we work in partnership to prepare students,” she said. “They’re on target for jobs of the future.”

Dr. Roan M. Craig, MCCTC superintendent, said she appreciated the turnout by the community to “see the investment.” She noted that the adult-education portion of the school is growing, and the school is equipped to handle it.

There are some 2,000 adult students in the program and 650 juniors and seniors from 13 participating high schools in Mahoning County.

Craig said teaching job skills for the future is the mission of the school. She said classes in computers, medical programs, trades, construction and automotive focus on giving students skills they’ll need to land a position. Craig also said MCCTC is a partner with Eastern Gateway Community College so students can earn credits.

Dr. Fred Soller, a founding board member, said he was proud about how far MCCTC had come with the classes it offers. “When students leave here, they’re job-ready,” he said.

Richard S. Scarsella, who is in his fifth year on the board, said the expansion was “really a renaissance.” “It’s the latest technology, newest labs and best education,” he said of the MCCTC program, which he said offered a “great level of service” to students. He added that the school attracts adult students not only from Ohio but from Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well.

The project was paid for with a bond issue and insurance money. MCCTC also had $9 million set aside for the expansion; the school had been planning the addition before the fire.

Scarsella, a local historian, said MCCTC is part of the fabric and history of the community. “We have a commitment to the future,” he said of the school. But, he noted it was important to remember MCCTC’s past and evolution.

Scott Mozingo and Jenny Tarbet, both of Boardman and MCCTC graduates have fond memories of the school, which they also termed a “second home” to many people.

Mozingo was a senior the year the fire destroyed a wing and caused extensive smoke damage. He’s now a YSU student majoring in information technology. “I’m happy to see it finished,” Mozingo said of the addition. “This a great school, and it serves a lot of people.”

Tarbet, who studied criminal justice at MCCTC, earned an associate degree in the same field at ITT. “The teachers help you out so much,” she said. “I’m looking into adult classes,” she added, noting that she’d like to return “home.”