Sherman Odom, along with others, was instrumental in raising funds for the building project. Odom addressed the crowd, including thanking several who have been instrumental in the project.
A.J. Tinker leads the construction trades program at SHS. He explained the plans for the indoor space to dozens in attendance at the roof-raising event.
The Salem R-80 Construction Trades Advisory Committee invited chamber members, donors, students, and more to a roof raising at the building site, Oct. 31. Dozens of well-wishers and supporters attending the roof raising
The new construction sits behind the high school gym.
A.J. Tinker leads the construction trades program at SHS. He explained the plans for the indoor space to dozens in attendance at the roof-raising event.
Catherine Wynn
A.J. Tinker leads the construction trades program. Students build vocational skills by giving them hands-on experience while working on construction projects. The new building will provide a dedicated space for the program with planned features to enhance student’s vocational learning experiences.
Dr. Lynne Reed, superintendent of Salem R-80 district spoke to the crowd about the ongoing construction project.
Catherine Wynn
Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed said that the roots of the building project predate her time at the school.
“It was approved in 2019,” said Reed. “There were donations as far back as 2017. But that was just for construction training for the program. As far as the initiative to get the building, that was also in place before I got here, and [the way] it was set up, the city and the school district were partners in creating this workforce training facility.”
The project started with a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant, requiring 50% matching funds. The other half of the funding came in the form of the Youth Opportunity Program (YOP), through the state’s Department of Economic Development, which allows private donations from the community to be made toward approved projects in exchange for a credit on donor’s state income tax. When Reed joined the district in July 2020, she said the grant funding was in place, but not the matching funds.
“We were at the point where we're almost at the deadline, and we didn't have the [YOP] money, so we were going to lose the grant money. And at that point, Sherman Odom and Tod Kinerk got heavily involved, and they went out and solicited the funding from community members, and they got it done. I mean, I can't really take much credit for that, because those two were instrumental,” said Reed.
All the hard work and donations have led to the building that will be completed behind SHS.
Sherman Odom, along with others, was instrumental in raising funds for the building project. Odom addressed the crowd, including thanking several who have been instrumental in the project.
Catherine Wynn
During the Oct. 31 event Reed, Odom, and Tinker spoke to those present, thanking everyone for the support of the project.
The program continues to see increased enrollment numbers, and now hundreds of students will benefit from the program’s new home and increased space for learning.
John Hewkin has been a sports fan since he was a kid. He’s played, coached and been a fan of sports. I was a sports writer for 15 years before moving back to Missouri, but to this day you will still find me in my man cave a lot of nights and weekends watching something that requires a ball.
