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BLOOMINGDALE -- The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School may get a new look as officials consider revamping the building.
During the Feb. 20 regular session, Superintendent Todd Phillipson said he attended an Ohio Facilities Commission meeting and he was eying improvements to the front area of the building for safety purposes.
In addition to altering the entrance, he had several ideas, including adding space for new programs, moving current programs and moving the front office.
He then asked board members for their thoughts on speaking with an architect.
Phillipson said one possibility was relocating the Crestview Inn Cafe, which is operated through the culinary arts program.
He said patrons of the restaurant either use the front entrance or access the rear of the building where the eatery is currently located.
He said by moving that site, it could improve accessibility and ease some security issues.
"We have difficult access for people to come eat. Maybe if we move the space and use (the current space) for classrooms. People have an issue with coming through the front of the building or going through the back."
Board member Toni Dondzila wondered if it was a safety issue and talks ensued.
Phillipson said it basically was a matter of access, then opined that moving the cafe also would provide it with brand-new amenities, such as kitchen.
The present restaurant recently completed upgrades to the dining area, including flooring, windows, doors, furniture and cabinetry. It hosted the evening's meeting with students preparing and serving dinner to officials in a belated celebration of School Board Appreciation Month, which was held in January.
Following more discussion, Phillipson was reviewing it further.
"We want to look at improving the safety out there and to change the front entrance for getting into the building," he later said. "We're looking at moving offices in the main building and looking a possibly adding classrooms to our program."
In other business, Phillipson updated the board approaching the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission with plans to expand residences in the Breezewood Subdivision. He said preliminary drawings were nearly complete and he would approach officials with ideas to expand the cul de sac and add 10 more homes to the area, which would be constructed by students. Carpentry, electrical trades and now heavy equipment students could build the new houses with some involvement by professionals for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, health technologies instructor Tammy Sismondo and several of her students highlighted the board on recent happenings in the program.
Sismondo said the Health Occupations of America Future Health Professionals regional competition, which was set for Buckeye Career Center had been canceled due to inclement weather, but students excelled on the written portion and several earned top spots.
She noted that the CPR teams placed first, second and third while the nurse assisting students tied for first place and a junior was second.
Others earned first through fourth place in their respective categories and the group is looking to move on to the state event in Columbus this spring.
Senior health tech students Natalie Cost, Ashley Brown, Zoe Board and Lexas Lashhorn also discussed their trip to the HOSA Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C., this fall along with classmate Serenity Edwards, who was absent from the meeting.
The students led a presentation and spoke about meeting officials, attending conferences and touring the nation's capital during their stay.
"It was a really amazing experience," said Cost. "You made it possible for us."
"It had people from New York (to) Florida," added Brown. "It was interesting to see the diversity."
Lashhorn said they attended conferences and toured Washington, which she enjoyed.
"We met a whole lot of people and I just enjoyed exploring Washington, D.C.," she commented. "It was an amazing opportunity."
Board mentioned they visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, took night tours.
"We rode buses to see around D.C. and visited the Martin Luther King Jr. statue, the Washington Monument and the Korean War Memorial. It was a very eye-opening experience."
They were also thankful to Sismondo and the board for the opportunities they have received through the JVS.
The board members were impressed with the presentation and noted their enthusiasm that the students would be future health care providers.
"We're very proud of you," said board member Ron Smyth. "This is what our kids are doing … and it's outstanding."
At the conclusion, the board briefly ventured into the health tech lab where students showed them the high-tech Anatomage table they received last year to learn their skills.
The table comes complete with programs on various systems within the body and gives pupils a close-up view of nerves, organs and injuries to help prepare them for a career.