Southland Superintendents Champion Southland Career & Technical Education Center

On Friday, April 4, community stakeholders gathered to discuss plans for the proposed Southland Career & Technical Education Center. Photo provided by Percy Scott.
On Friday, April 4, community stakeholders gathered to discuss plans for the proposed Southland Career & Technical Education Center. Photo provided by Percy Scott.

Southland Superintendents Champion Southland Career & Technical Education Center

By Tia Carol Jones

Six educators from the Southland have formed a collective to embark on a journey that will benefit the community. Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent, Bloom Township High School District 206; Dr. Scott Wakeley, Superintendent, Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233; Dr. Michael Anthony, President, Prairie State College; Dr. Johnnie Thomas, Superintendent, Rich Township High School District 227; Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, CEO/Superintendent, Southland College Prep Charter High School; and Dr. Tina Halliman, Superintendent, Special Education Joint Agreement (SEJA) School District 802 have come together to help develop the Southland Career & Technical Education Center (SCEC). The proposed site of the center is the Rich East High School site in Park Forest, Ill., which was shuttered in 2019.

During an event in early April, more than 100 people from the community, including residents, stakeholders and elected officials gathered for the unveiling of the strategic, architectural and curriculum plan for the SCEC. The regional center will offer programs in aviation, construction trades, information technology, logistics and supply chain management, manufacturing, public safety and urban agriculture. 

Dr. Thomas said the collective has been working hard to bring a career and education center to the Southland community. He said it is something that is much needed in order to continue to develop the workforce of the future. He said the proposed site is 145,000 square feet, would cost an estimated $100 million. The anticipated opening date would be in the Fall 2028, which depends on funding. 

Dr. Thomas said the project has the support of Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin and United States Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

“We’re really excited about the feedback that we’re getting. Not only from our state and federal legislators, but also from the community as a whole,” Dr. Thomas said. He added that during the event in early April, people from the community expressed their excitement about the center and having a program that will enable students to focus on their careers and give them choices, as well as offer adults classes in the evening for adults who want to change their careers.

Dr. Tina Halliman said the message from the students during the event was one of the strongest. They were able to talk about how being in their current programs has helped them and how the SCEC would benefit future students. Dr. Blondean Y. Davis said that she and Dr. Thomas attended a Richton Park Board Meeting and received positive feedback.

Each educator is the advisory chair of a program. Halliman is the advisory chair of the logistics and supply chain management program. Navarre is the advisory chair of manufacturing program. Thomas is the advisory chair for urban agriculture and construction trades. Davis is the advisory chair of information technology. Anthony is the advisory chair of public safety. 

Dr. Wakeley is the advisory chair of aviation. He said that aviation is more than just flying the plane, it is air traffic control and mechanics. He said having the program would be an opportunity to get Southland students on the ground floor and get dual credit.

Dr. Thomas said the collective has committed to ensuring the operating costs are covered. Once the center is up and running, they will be providing the budgetary dollars for it. He said they are working to get federal, state and private donations. The collective is currently working with elected officials to include the center in their funding. 

“We continue to work with all the municipalities that support all of the communities that are represented here to make sure that we have a sound regional program that supports all of the Southland area,” Dr. Thomas said.


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