Personnel Responsible for Overseeing the Plan
Campus improvement falls under the control of the director of James Rumsey Technical Institute. Recommendations for campus improvement are derived from input supplied by the school culture committee, the State Board of Risk Management (BRIM), inspections by outside sources (such as fire, air quality, and food inspectors), and from input directly supplied by faculty and staff. The staff reports include the checklist/survey completed by students each year.
Goals and Objectives
Goals and objectives are prioritized by safety, need, student benefit, and aesthetic value of the project. Some improvement decisions are presented to the faculty senate for review and recommendations. However, the final decision is made by the director of the Institute and, if needed, the state department of education.
Activities to Achieve the Objectives
An allocation from state CTE funds will be made to the LEA for the sole purpose of equipment modernization and replacement. These funds can be used only if the equipment is for exclusive use by students. Replacement equipment funds may also be used for repairs and for hand tools.
Funds are distributed by a formula that is based upon the LEA share of the state total value of CTE instructional equipment. The LEA shall submit an LEA Form 6 – Application for Approval of Equipment. Funds will be advanced quarterly based upon availability of funds.
Equipment funds may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next without penalty. Carry-over funds should be spent first.
Many of the larger improvements are approved and funded by either the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and/or the School Building Authority (SBA). The director then pursues bids from contractors, plans from architects, and addresses any safety issues involved. After all SBA requirements have been satisfied, the contractors, architects, and director work together on the project until it is completed.
Timelines for Review, Evaluation and Revision of the Plan
All large improvement projects are approved by the Administrative Council during a scheduled monthly meeting. The director, through a monthly report, apprises the Council of all projects and their current status.
Improvements that can be made by students in designated programs may be completed if it relates to the curriculum, and the students are able to benefit by the task.
Individual program improvements are funded through program modernization grants and the Local Education Agency (LEA) funds. Program changes are announced, sometimes endorsed, and are reported to the craft advisory committees during their bi-yearly meetings. Craft Committees are often asked for advice or recommendations pertaining to program needs. The WVDE receives an annual state legislative appropriation for CTE program modernization. Requests for Proposals are sent to the LEAs in March and must be submitted by June 1. In order to maximize the impact of these funds, an important criterion is the availability of matching funds from sources outside the school system. Particular weight is given to those matching funds that represent new funding sources developed by the school system with the business-industry-labor community, foundations, organizations, and associations. Perkins funds will not be considered as matching for the purposes of these grants. Another important factor is the targeting of programs that lead to employment in high demand/high wage occupations.
Proposals that emphasize innovation and substantive change from the status quo are given most favorable consideration. Expenditures for hiring personnel or renovating facilities are not to be included.
Each summer, portions of the school are painted on rotating cycle or by special requests from the instructors when needed.