Regional Academy Facility Plans On Track, but Curriculum Development is Still a Key Need

(THE 2021 EFFINGHAM REGIONAL CAREER ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

The Effingham Regional Career Academy Board of Directors Wednesday heard that things are on track for the construction of an academy home, but that lots of work remains to get a curriculum in place.

Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said plans are proceeding on the 40,000 square foot facility that will house the Academy, with the building ready for the 2023-2024 school year. The building is to be located just south of the Lake Land Kluthe Center in Effingham.

In the meantime, though, the curriculum needs finalized since some courses will be offered in the Spring of 2022, building or not. There will be courses in each of the five pathways identified, those being Agriculture, Health, Information Technology, Manufacturing and Transportation.

Dieterich School Superintendent Cary Jackson is one of those working on programs and curriculum. Jackson said some of the courses might be offered online, while some might be offered on the Lake Land campus. The logistics of making the courses available to students from 14 different school districts participating in the Academy is a big consideration.