Clarksburg School will expand its Agriculture and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs into the middle school with help from a $50,000 Perkins Reserve Grant awarded by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Director of Schools Dr. Lisa Norris announced the grant during the South Carroll Special School District’s board meeting on July 17.
“We were the only school in the county to receive it,” she said.
South Carroll plans to use the funds to purchase three tillers, three weed trimmers, a plow, drones, and a new STEM program called We Build It Better (WBIB).
Norris explained that WBIB was developed by aerospace engineers at Flight Works Alabama in Mobile, and is designed to simulate a real-world work environment.
“It’s a true CTE work skill program,” she told the board.
According to WBIB’s website, “Each classroom becomes a fun, interactive workplace stocked with industry-grade tools.”
In addition to STEM learning, middle school students will take an Introduction to Agriculture Science course and help care for pigs, goats, chickens, and a turkey on Clarksburg’s Rocket Farm.
“The middle school students will help on Rocket Farm and assist Mr. [Andrew] Stokes with daily care and responsibilities,” said Principal Jenny Miller.
Supervisor of Instruction Mary Katherine Stigall said the coursework will be directly tied to career planning.
“The high-quality instruction will be linked to career counseling and support academic growth,” she said.
Future Grant Opportunities
In addition to the Perkins Reserve Grant, Dr. Norris said South Carroll is pursuing several other funding opportunities, including FEMA/TEMA funds to construct a storm shelter on the Clarksburg campus.
She said the building would serve as an emergency shelter for the community when school is not in session and for students during the school day.
The district has also partnered with other districts throughout the county on a federal distance learning and technology grant totaling more than $1 million.
If awarded, the funds would be divided among South Carroll, McKenzie, Huntingdon, and Hollow Rock-Bruceton, based on each district’s submitted needs.
