Madison Co. receives $3.65 million grant for regional ag college, career academy

Madison County High School is already undergoing a massive upgrade of its campus. Now, it will also be the site of a regional ag-industry college.

The Madison County School System has been awarded a $3.65 million grant for a Regional Advanced Agriculture-Industry College and Career Academy.

The academy will include new classrooms and facilities at the high school — in addition to new facilities currently under construction. No completion date for the ag-industry academy construction has been set. The current renovations are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2014.

Madison County School Superintendent Dr. Allen McCannon said the new academy will help students develop job-ready skills. For instance, students could learn welding in an ag mechanics taught by an Athens Technical College instructor on the MCHS campus. Or, students may develop culinary arts skills from Athens Tech teachers in Danielsville.

“We’re trying to provide a big toolkit for the kids,” said McCannon.

When completed, the new academy at the high school will be a partnership between the Madison County School System, the Clarke County School System, the Elbert County School System and Athens Technical College.

“As Lt. Governor, I am committed to providing every student in Georgia access to a college and career academy. Their proven success at providing our children the relevant, job-related skills they need is more important than ever in these tough economic times,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “I applaud the Madison County School System, the Clarke County School System, the Elbert County School System, Athens Technical College, and the many community partners that came together to provide this important tool to ensure our students are prepared to enter the 21st century workforce.”

— See more coverage in the Dec. 13 edition of The Madison County Journal.