ERCA Readies for Exploratory Class

The Effingham Regional Career Academy’s Board of Directors were introduced at this month's meeting to Cassie Carpenter, who will serve as the facilitator of the Explore ERCA class that begins with the 2022-2023 school year.

Carpenter, who is also an employee of the Teutopolis School district, will oversee the development and delivery of an exploratory curriculum designed to introduce Effingham County high school students to ERCA’s five curriculum areas and local career opportunities in a one-semester class that includes six weeks of classroom discovery followed by 10 weeks of business visits and learning at area businesses.

To date, 13 high school students have enrolled in the class from Beecher City, Dieterich and Teutopolis high schools. Classes will be taught at Patterson Technology Center and other business sites. Space in the class is still available for additional junior and seniors at Effingham County schools. Interested students should contact their local high school student services department for more information. The class is offered at no cost to the students with the contribution of Effingham County Board ARPA funds. The County Board approved payment for the Explore ERCA class costs at their July Board meeting.

In other business, the ERCA Board retained a consultant to create ERCA as a non-profit organization as the organization prepares to raise funds to purchase equipment in the new facility being built in Effingham by Lake Land College that will house ERCA classes. The ERCA Programs and Curriculum Committee will meet in the next few weeks to develop further ERCA curriculum in preparation for the opening of the facility in the Fall of 2024.

The ERCA Board also adopted the organization’s strategic plan and guiding principles; approved the Marketing Committee’s request of funds to develop a new ERCA website; welcomed Andy Johnson, Effingham Unit 40 Superintendent, to the Board; announced the appointment of Cary Jackson to the ERCA Executive Committee and heard from ERCA Director Jerry Tkachuk who provided a timeline of actions that need to occur prior to the full operation of ERCA in the Fall of 2024.

To learn more about ERCA, visit www.erca.us or contact ERCA Board Chair Norma Lansing at 217-246-5844 or n.lansing@erca.us