A HISTORY OF CareerTEC
In the late 1960s, local school administrators analyzed the educational opportunities of youth in the Stephenson County area. It was determined that many opportunities were available to academically superior youth that had financial support, but a significant void was found in career educational opportunities. Upon further discussion, no district was directly providing the needs of the non-college bound student.
Although CareerTEC currently has programs designed for college bound seniors, the courses offered back then were much different. Studies were conducted and it was decided that transportation costs would be excessive, but no single high school could fit a career centers needs, while also being centrally located. While there were already career centers in Rockford and Elizabeth, the idea of sending students that many miles a day for an education was not plausible. The administrators and other personnel determined that a career center created in cooperation by the six high school districts of Dakota, Freeport, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Shannon. A Phase I proposal for an area career center was created and signed on January 26, 1972. The Board of Vocational Education and Rehabilitation approved the Phase I proposal in May, and authorized the local school districts to develop a Phase II proposal.
On September 1, 1972, the participating districts employed a planning director, Mr. Duane Gamble, to oversee and develop a Phase II proposal for the career center. To assist with the planning of the Stephenson Area Career Center (SACC), three surveys were conducted among employers, parents, and students in the area. On February 1, 1973, the newly elected Board of Control approved a participation agreement between all of the participating school boards. The Board of Control and the administrative council decided to have meetings at regular dates. During these early meetings, decisions were also made about the construction of a SACC building. With the previous vocational education offices located on Chicago Avenue in downtown Freeport, members of the administrative council wanted a building that could fit their needs, as well as being close in proximity to Highland Community College. It was agreed that SACC would build an entirely new building. The original building was to be located adjacent to the Highland campus on Pearl City Road on the west side of Freeport.
SACC was started on the belief that secondary schools should be preparatory institutions for every student. SACC would benefit students by better equipping them for careers in vocations such as drafting, child care, building trades, health care, and office occupations. Most of these programs were not offered at the six member schools, as well as the prospective school districts of Leaf River and Juda, Wisconsin. SACC would help by creating vocational education programs at a time when there were none.
Construction was started in the summer of 1974, with the firm Larson & Darby, Inc. of Rockford serving as the overseeing architect and contractor. Cheeseman Construction of Freeport was awarded the actual construction work. During construction of the SACC building, the planning director Duane Gamble, accepted a similar position in Crystal Lake, and was replaced by Mr. Shelley Cary of Middleton, Wisconsin, as vocational director. May, 1975 saw recommendations for the hiring of teachers in the courses of Automotive Body Repair, Automotive Mechanics, Interrelated Co-op, Health Care Occupations, Special Education, and Office Occupations. In June, the SACC Board of Directors made recommendations for the hiring of teachers in Welding and Machine Trades, Electronics, Learning Resource, Child Care, Drafting, and Ag Mechanics. In the September 1976, SACC opened its doors to students for the first time. Programs in the 1976-77 opening school year included Ag Mechanics, Auto Body Repair, Auto Mechanics, Building Trades, Child Care, Co-op (an apprenticeship program), cosmetology, drafting, electrical occupations, health care occupations, machine trades, welding and fabrication, and simulated office procedures.
Mr. Shelley Cary accepted a position in the University of Wisconsin system in August 1976 tendering his resignation as director of SACC. In the following month, Richard Linnell was hired as interim director of the career center. Mr. Linnell had previously been coordinator of special services for SACC, and was a board member as well.
Freeport Memorial Hospital began its commitment to career and technical education on March 25, 1977, by agreeing with SACC to utilize their hospital and other facilities for clinical experience of students enrolled in the health care program. This partnership continues today, with CareerTECs Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeship, or HOYA, classes which meet in the Jane Addams Building on the hospital campus. Freeport Memorial also currently helps the youth apprenticeship process by placing second year HOYA students in programs throughout the hospital. The Stephenson Nursing Center, located on Walnut Road south of Freeport, also agreed to an extended campus agreement with the Health Care program. 1977 also saw the establishment of the Career-Employer Day at Highland Community College, created by SACC in conjunction with the Career Placement Office, Highland, and the Chamber of Commerce. This was the precursor of CareerTEC=s annual Career Fair at Highland, currently held in November.
At SACCs administration meeting in late June 1977, Mr. William J. Meier of Lancaster, Wisconsin, was hired to replace interim director Richard Linnell as director of SACC. Mr. Linnell continued with SACC as an administrative assistant. An interesting fact about Mr. Meier shows that he only earned $22,500 per year starting in his initial year of 1977. Instructors, in that same school year, earned a base of $9,500. Mr. Meier also assisted in following up on an earlier agreement, furthering SACC and HCCs continued partnership, allowing Highland Community College to use the SACC facilities for their continuing adult education courses.
In 1978, SACC began to recognize superior students by presenting a quarterly award to an outstanding SACC student in each program. CareerTEC currently also participates in this process, having a student of the semester and student of the year winner in various programs. In addition, CareerTEC selects an annual overall outstanding student from advanced students in each program offered.
On October 15, 1978, the SACC cosmetology program opened up a new facility at Highland Community College (HCC). This meant that SACC could run their own cosmetology program in conjunction with HCC, severing the prior cosmetology relationship with La Molo School of Beauty Culture, which previously ran the cosmetology program in conjunction with SACC.
The building trades program has also changed dramatically since its inception. In the earlier years, most of the building trades students were from Freeport Senior High School. Houses built by the SACC building trades program were built in the Cherokee Hills subdivision on the northwest side of Freeport.
In early 1979, SACC began to discuss the possibility of holding a summer course at the SACC facility in conjunction with Northern Illinois University. The school district of Mount Carroll in Carroll County also joined the partnership in 1979, bringing the total to seven schools. Durand and Pecatonica turned down requests by SACC to join the agreement, but would later join CareerTEC.
The Business program at CareerTEC has come a long way since the inception of the Office Occupations program in the early days of SACC. When the program first started in 1976, computers were a luxury, but yet very complicated in their operations. The Office Occupations program was designed to acquaint students with the use of a typewriter, as personal computers were in their infancy. The Business and Finance Youth Apprenticeship, or BFYA, currently uses computers on a daily basis to complete assignments and other projects. During the CareerTEC programs first days, classes met in a room at the Freeport Post Office. Now the business class meets at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau on Spring Street in conjunction with a business partner, Aero Computing Ltd.
The nursing aide program, the precursor to todays Certified Nursing Assistant program, began in 1980. 55 students attended classes during the first year. These students were all to be employed in nursing homes in SACC’s geographical boundaries. This course was held during the evening, while the current Certified Nursing Assistant, (CNA), program is taught during the school day at the Jane Addams Building on the Freeport Memorial Hospital grounds.
The Mount Morris school district in Ogle County joined SACC in the 1980-1981 school year, adding to the seven schools that already were members of the cooperative. Enrollment numbers stayed steady throughout SACC’s history, reaching almost 400-450 students each year.
Tragedy struck SACC when Bill Meier passed away while he was still employed as director. This shocked the career and technical education system. Mr. Meiers dedication and service to vocational education led to a scholarship in his name that was established for outstanding graduating seniors planning on continuing education at the secondary level. A memorial flagpole in front of the SACC building and scholarship still honor Mr. Meiers name. Mr. Richard Linnell was hired to be the acting director until a replacement could be found. In July 1982, Mr. Roy Monzo was hired as the new director and Mr. Linnell assumed the duties as administrative assistant once again.
Highland Community College, along with the building trades class at SACC, remodeled buildings in the winter of 1982-83; another testament of the longstanding agreement between SACC and HCC. A simple perusal through the records and minutes at this time shows that some of the documents, such as payroll and accounts payable, were still handwritten. Six IBM personal computers were bought in the summer to help solve this problem. The cooperative paid $13,921 for these computers- considerably higher than they would today. Also, the first VHS VCR system was bought by SACC for the cosmetology program in 1986- with a bill of $339, considerably more than VCRs cost today.
The Micro Switch companies of Freeport came to SACC in February 1983 to explore the possibilities of adding an Electrical Maintenance program to their curriculum. Micro Switch would send 26 of their adult employees to the course. Newell and Kelly-Springfield also joined Micro later in sending their starting employees to SACC to be trained. Development of the courses was finalized in the summer of 1983. It joined the Kelly-Springfield courses of electrician, instrument repairman, millwright, and pipe fitter, the Newell courses of pre-entry and on-the-job training, as well as blueprint reading, and a summer cosmetology course.
The Stephenson Area Career Center was named as a model school by the Illinois Competency Based Vocational Project in September 1983. This coincided with a summer youth project that SACC offered to freshman and sophomores during the summer. This summer project was to relate specific careers and industries to each student during a 6-8 week program. Over 50 students participated in the program in its initial year.
In this same year, a computer applications course was discussed. Needs for programmers had decreased in the past couple years, as applications and programs were becoming more popular and useful than the computer language itself. This course was set up for the next school year.
In March 1984, the Illinois State Board of Education drastically cut funding for career and technical education statewide. The funds for SACC alone had been cut over 20% in two years. These budget cuts led to layoffs and reduced time for employees. This also led SACC to cut down their insurance policies among employees. A resolution authorizing reduction in employment time of non-tenured teachers was adopted on March 11, 1985.
In the following month, SACCs spirits were somewhat lifted when several students placed very well at the Illinois Association of Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Leadership Conference and Skill Olympics, with a cosmetology student finishing first in the state. This was just another testament to the high academic level of career and technical education in and around Stephenson County. In June, the Auto Body program was recognized as an outstanding vocational education program by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Department of Adult and Vocational Technical Education.
CareerTEC administration is currently located in the same administrative building as the Northwest Special Education District, a partnership between the two that started in 1985. Northwest Special Ed started renting facilities at the SACC offices, and special education kids were allowed to take regular classes at the center the following year.
The internship program of SACC started in 1986 when Office Occupations students were allowed to seek employment in the community to receive experience in a work environment. The students would receive no pay and had to provide their own transportation. Today, second year CareerTEC Business & Finance Youth Apprenticeship students drive to their internship placement sites as well but most businesses now pay apprenticeship students for their services.
A plan for a child day care center was discussed in SACC meetings in April of 1986, and these early discussions and research led to a day care facility being established in the SACC building. The Jones-Farrar Early Learning Center now occupies the former SACC building. All Freeport kindergarten classes are currently held there. The Jones-Farrar center is now one of the biggest centers of its kind in the county.
Mr. Roy Monzo resigned from his post as director on July 14, 1986. Richard Linnell was again given the task of acting as interim director until a replacement could be found. Another major change also happened in 1986 when the Shannon school district disbanded and was absorbed into the Eastland school district in Lanark. Although tax dollar credits had already been given to Eastland, the school district decided to discontinue affiliation with SACC.
Another success was achieved by SACC when the Office Occupations class took home nine national awards from the national conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Four other students were named National Merit Scholars and one student was awarded a national first place at the convention and conference.
A big change occurred on July 1, 1987, when SACC decided to cease operations and form into the Stephenson Area Vocational Technical Education System. SACC records and documents were transferred to SAVTES, which still retained the same administrative location next to HCC. Bob Grisolano, recently hired as the new full-time director, oversaw these major changes in the career and technical education system.
Mt. Morris school district withdrew from SAVTES in 1988. The decreasing enrollment led SAVTES to make the decision to offer classes at other locations instead of the center. Child Care was the first class to be moved to another location at Freeport Senior High School. SAVTES sold the SACC building in late 1989 for its appraised value to the Freeport School District. The system administration offices later moved to the Freeport School Districts administrative offices. SAVTES Board of Directors also moved meetings from the SACC facilities to a rotating schedule between the Freeport administrative building and the Freeport Senior High Library.
Mr. Bob Grisolano officially resigned on July 8, 1991. Mr. Richard Linnell was once again selected as the interim director of the system. The search for a full-time director began in December 1992, and following a lengthy interview process, the current director, Ms. Karen Johnson, was selected from a pool of six applicants.
In September 1993, the process for developing a model Youth Apprenticeship programs begins. Studies show the greatest demand is in the Health Occupations area. Grants are written to help support the implementation of a Health Occupations program. Local health care providers are invited to take part in the development of the curriculum and representatives from a national program are brought in to in-service school administrators and partners on the implementation of programs. The new programs will include an innovative cluster approach to the health care fields, partnering with local businesses to offer job shadowing and internships. The first classes are held in a local church. Kate Magnin is hired as the first instructor.
In the fall of 1995 more grants were written and business and finance partners were brought in to help develop a youth apprenticeship for their industry. The first classes were held in the Freeport Post Office to provide easy access to businesses and local financial institutions. Brian Borger was hired as the first instructor. In the fall of 1996 a partnership with Aero Computing Ltd. provided a classroom fully staffed with computers and internet access at the Farm Bureau building downtown.
Local industry expressed interest in developing a Manufacturing Trades program and the development of curriculum with the partners began. Grants were also written to help support the beginning of this new program. The first Manufacturing Trades classes were held in the Newell Window Furnishing plant on Arcade Avenue in Freeport. The program name was changed to Engineering Technology and moved to the Highland Campus in the summer of 1998. This enables the students to have access to the CNC, Drafting and Electronics programs, and college credits for these courses as well as developing the soft skills, job shadowing, and internships. Elizabeth Hazzard was hired as coordinator and instructor for the program.
Both the Lena-Winslow and Orangeville school districts withdrew from SAVTES at the end of the 1998-1999 school year. In the spring of 1998.Pecatonica submitted a request to become full partners in the consortium. With the addition of Pecatonica and Aquin students numbers for programs stayed level.
Other new classes at the consortium were also added in the late nineties, increasing enrollment and the occupational outlook of many students. From 2000-2003 the Jobs for Illinois Graduates (JILG) began for students needed extra for graduation requirement in English and for developing employability skills. This program was also grant supported at the inception. The Construction Trades Youth Apprenticeship program was added in 1998 and 1999 saw the addition of the Microsoft Certified Professional program. The programs of SAVTES were no longer just vocational programs. Board members, business partners, school administrators were invited to participate in the development of a new strategic plan. During the Strategic Plan processes a change in the name of the system was proposed. CareerTEC (Career and Technical Education Consortium) is adopted to better provide the image of the programs that are career and technical educational based. On July 1, 1999, SAVTES changed the name of their system to the Career and Technical Education Consortium, or CareerTEC.
During the expansion of the system during the years 1993 -2000 competitive grants were written and received to help support the beginning of all the new programs. Over $500,000 in grants supported the new programs through their first year.
In 2001, two new classes were offered at CareerTEC, featuring the Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA program, and the Graphic Design program. The Durand school district located in Winnebago County began to send students to CareerTEC classes on a tuition-only basis for this school year. In July 2002, Durand will become full voting member of the consortium.
The consortium has come a long way since its inception. Focusing on occupational preparation in the early days, CareerTEC now focuses on both occupational and college preparation. Today, CareerTEC is a thriving educational consortium serving nearly 400 students from the six participating school districts. Fourteen programs are offered within the consortium, providing students with academic variety and depth.
The newest course for the 2002-2003 school year will be the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or NJROTC. Enrollment remains high as do aspirations for a great future in career and technical education. CareerTEC is dedicated to expanding career opportunities and preparation for high school students. Currently, over 75% of students in the consortium pursue post-secondary education. Enrollment in a CareerTEC course helps students gain problem-solving skills and develop an understanding of what challenges and opportunity the future holds. Students also build self-confidence and understanding while receiving a solid foundation for become responsible, productive citizens in today’s society. Enrollment also improves capability, responsiveness, and relevance of their education to raise each student’s skill level. CareerTEC’s programs offer students the ability to learn while having fun, acquiring valuable knowledge and experience to help them succeed in life.
In 2004, Highland has received approval for the Nail Technology program. The CTYA program was given approval for building a house. A non-member school expressed interest in sending a student to CareerTEC program. Director Johnson resigned and replaced by Patricia Maley. Teresa Julius was hired as the Business Instructor. In 2004 the JILG grant was stopped and CareerTEC changed it to Working Success for 2004-2005 being taught by Kim Fricke.
In 2005, CareerTEC and Highland Community College work together to add dual credit to Business, Microsoft Certified Professional, and Practicum in Technology. Highland is working closely with us to develop a smooth transition for the new program offerings this fall. Eagle Ridge and CareerTEC will be attending the Tech Prep conference this fall as a group. Teams from all the schools will be comprised of career and technical education instructors from each school along with the principal who is part of the Tech Prep team. This is all funded with Tech Prep monies. Each team will develop a plan of implementation for programs that they design after the conference.
In spring of 2006, JILG (Jobs for Illinois Graduates) was reinstated and transferred to FHS (Freeport). Early Childhood Instructor Margaret Wubben resigned and Patricia Hickey has been hired as her replacement. An Invitation was extended by the National FFA to all Board Members to attend the Convention on October 25th in Indianapolis. Colleen Mills hired as Administrative Assistant to the Director.
In 2007, the CareerTEC website (www.careertec-il.org) was opened live on the internet in Aug. but HCC having trouble because of their firewall. Agricultural Education will be reinstated at Freeport for the next school year. Agriculture class held at Pearl City for FHS student.
In 2008, CareerTEC will move Graphic Design II, for dual credit, to HCC for the FY09 school year. There is a need for a 3rd HOYA class for next year. Martha Lehman is being hired for that position. Discussion was held about the attendance information given regarding the number of 7 & 10 day absence notices as well as the students withdrawn for attendance reasons by school district for FY’06 – this current FY’08 year. The numbers of withdrawals is decreasing each year. The Principals and Superintendents felt that no changes should be made in the process regarding attendance and the Board was in agreement as well.
In 2009, Teresa Julius resigned as Careers in Business Instructor and Tammy Haight hired as her replacement. Stockton is investigated the possibility of changing EFE systems in FY2010. It was decided that due to increased #’s in CareerTEC classes, that CareerTEC is not accepting new membership, so Stockton’s request was denied. Mike Dechy hired to replace Mark Rammelsburg in NJROTC.
Summer 2009, Fear of no state budget and cuts in funding. CTE budget line was approved at State level but receiving funds has been slow. Early March CareerTEC teachers put on notice of possible layoff for next school year.
Late 2009, the five local school districts have agreed to help finance CareerTEC for the upcoming school year. The Superintendents committee was formed.
Aug. 2010, all teachers were retained for FY11. Pat Maley announced her retirement at the end of the FY11 school year. Not much funding coming in from the State of Illinois. No Applied Technology or Welding for lack of enrollment. MCP classroom moved to St. John Church on Park Blvd, Freeport.
Spring 2011, Jen Montana hired as new System Director. Martha Lehman submits her resignation. Barb Kniss hired as her replacement.
Summer 2011, MCP classes will be held in morning and afternoon for FY12. HOYA 3 & 4, held from 9:15-10:45a.m, was added to accommodate additional Freeport students.
Spring 2012, Jen Montana marries Phil Newendyke therefore changing her name to Jen Newendyke. Energy class (S.T.E.M.) class added for FY13 school year.
Summer 2012 MCP renamed CIS (Computer Information Systems)
Fall 2013, Energy class cancelled for lack of enrollment.
Spring 2013, Jan Golden, HOYA lead Instructor, and Nick Katzenberger, Construction and Building Trades Instructor, announce their intent to retire at end of fiscal year.
Elizabeth Chamber hired to replace Jan Golden and Nick Katzenberger returns as part-time.
Summer 2013, Culinary and Careers in Business classes moved to St. John Church on Park Blvd, Freeport. St. John completely renovated their kitchen to accompany the culinary needs.
James Ungs resigns as Culinary Instructor. Steve Konefes hired as new Culinary Instructor.
Fall 2013, Energy class cancelled for lack of enrollment.
Colleen Mills receives full-time hours for 9 months, part-time (24hrs) during June & July.
Winter 2013, Jen Newendyke delivers a baby boy in January 2014. Returns to work March of 2014. Superintendents fill in while she is on maternity leave.
Spring 2014, Carl Scace and Barb Kniss relieved of duties effective end of fiscal year.
Summer 2014, Stacey Vock hired as replacement for Barb Kniss (HOYA)
Craig Danekas hired as replacement for Carl Scace. Welding Fabrication & Print Reading a go with 12 enrolled in program at HCC. Carol Luning retires from event coordinator position. Steve Konefes to take over for Carol.
Summer 2015, Jen Newendyke delivers another baby boy in June 2015. Returns to work August 11, 2015.
Summer 2016. Craig Danekas (CIS) resigns to move to New Mexico. Doug Meyers hired as replacement.
Nick Katzenberger (Construction) resigns. Brad Miller hired as replacement
Summer 2017, Elizabeth Chambers (HOYA) resigns. Lori Steele hired as replacement.
Tammy Haight (CIB) resigns to take a position at FHS. Elizabeth Hazzard hired as replacement.
June 9, 2017, Kathy Drake hired as Community Outreach Coordinator with United Way grant.
Fall 2017, Welding & Fabrication class changed to Industrial Technologies.
Fall 2018, Colleen Mills takes over as event coordinator.
Culinary Occupations classroom moved to Pretzel City Kitchens inside the Wagner House.
HOYA holding 4 classes, 2 in AM, 1 in AM2, & 1 in PM.
Culinary holding 3 classes, 1 in AM, 1 in AM2, & 1 in PM.
Summer 2019, Jen Newendyke resigns to take position at ROE as Assistant Superintendent. Brian Greene hired as her replacement as Director of CareerTEC.
Fall 2019,
Spring 2020, Covid pandemic hits. Masks required. Remote learning only. Kathy Drake resigns to move out of city.
Fall 2020, School to work program canceled. Students return with a choice of remote learning or in-person.
Sept: Brian suffered 3 heart attacks and thankfully survived. Out for over a month.
Students in and out with positive Covid tests and need to quarantine for up to 2 wks.
Vaccines being given.
Spring 2021: Pandemic almost over. Plans for full in-person teaching in Fall 2021.
Spring 2021: Brad Miller resigns as construction instructor.
Dan Harrington hired as Construction Trades instructor
Fall 2021: Full in-person learning
January – February 2022: face masks optional
March: Dan Harrington resigns as construction instructor.
Brad Miller back to finish FY22 school year.
FY23: Jim Shaw hired as new Construction Trades teacher
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