Career and Technology Center to add three degree programs

To satisfy an increasing demand from area health employers, the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center will add three associate degree programs.

The Cape Girardeau School Board approved physical therapy, occupational therapy and a medical technology program at their meeting Monday.

"The employers in our region need these people," said Rich Payne, director of the center.

Payne said he will hire directors for the physical and occupational therapy assistant programs and continue the accreditation process. He said he hopes to begin classes in spring 2010.

The therapy assistant programs are funded, in part, by a grant from the WIRED Initiative of Southeast Missouri. The $148,324 grant is half of the estimated cost to start the program. The other half will be generated through state grants and the center, he said.

Payne said the WIRED grant money will be used to buy equipment and to hire two directors, who will teach classes. Payne said more teachers will be added to the program once there is a revenue stream from tuition.

The medical technology program, which trains medical office assistants, will start next year. It will replace a general administrative assistant program that ended last school year, Payne said.

"We found that you have to more specific with administrative assistant programs," he said. Payne said there are 13 people on the waiting list because displaced workers are looking for extra training.

"The jobs are out there, they just need the skills," Payne said.

The degrees for the programs will be conferred through Mineral Area College.

In other action, the district will hire a fourth counselor for Central High School with an estimated salary of $34,000. The position was previously eliminated during the 2003-2004 school year because of budget cuts.

The board approved tuition increases at the Career and Technology Center to offset the cost of hiring an administrative assistant for allied health programs. Payne said the Missouri State Board of Nursing cited the center for the lack of administrative support during recent program reviews.

The board approved music, art, business, family and consumer science, industrial technology, and preschool curriculum for the 2009-2010 school year.

The board also accepted the lowest bid, $18,500, for a 2008-2009 financial audit with Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates in Cape Girardeau.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent addresses:

301 N. Clark St. Cape Girardeau, MO

1080 S. Silver Springs Road Cape Girardeau, MO