Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this feature and took the photos.
Progress and change are a never-ending challenge within the River Bend School District, in Fulton, IL. The Industrial Technologies class is receiving hands-on experience, while aiding the repurposing of the High School facility.
The District is in the midst of construction within the High School, with the goal of improving and upgrading its security. The current entrance offers a security check upon entering the building, but lacks restraints for further advances upon entry. This limited security is currently being upgraded. Entrance to the building will be relocated via Administrative Offices. Electronic restraints will be installed, to prevent advancement into the facility without proper clearance and permission.
The Industrial Technologies class, under the leadership of Jason Snyder, is using this opportunity as a classroom with actual experience to perform the construction of the office walls, including electrical wiring. Under the experienced eye of Tri-Cities Electric of Davenport, IA, students have constructed the walls and are currently learning about, and performing, electrical installation needs.
Boys and girls are allowed to spend full school days on the project. That ability will aid the completion schedule. It also helps students to best understand the daily pressures that they will face, when working within the construction environment following their graduation.
