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Journal-News.com

Butler Tech providing more bang for buck

FAIRFIELD TWP. — At midday, Butler Tech's campuses are alive with a college-like purpose and spirit.

Over the past five years, enrollment has nearly doubled and the district has improved the way its operates.

Of Ohio's 49 vocational schools, Butler Tech's cost per student is the lowest in the state, yet its academic performance is among the best.

The students at Butler Tech are of all ages.

Some sport pastel-colored medical scrubs and white sneakers. Others are in jeans and T-shirts.

They are taking classes to work as medical assistants, nurses, livestock veterinarians and carpenters.

It is school, but to many, it does not feel like it because students choose to be there and many are practicing skills in fields they love.

Their philosophy: the traditional way of preparing for college is different than preparing for a career — but at Butler Tech, students can do both.

They call it a "college prep plus" education, whereby students get academics plus career skills that will let them make good money whether or not they go on to college — and if they do, will put them ahead once there.

"College prep academics is the single biggest myth in education. You're settling for an inferior education. You do not have to compromise academics to gain technical skills," said Bob Sommers, chief executive at the school.

And now more than ever, high demand jobs require specialized training, said Bill Solazzo, Butler Tech's marketing director.

"The Ohio economy has flip-flopped. Now, 65 percent of occupations require technical skills," Solazzo said. "It's the biggest chunk of what our economy needs right now."

Career- and technical-focused training, Sommers said, can make the difference between graduating and working in fast food or in a job earning $20 an hour.

Sommers jokingly refers to many high school and college grads lacking career experience as "NIKES," or "no income kids with an education."

"It's about skills," he says. "Academics are necessary but no longer sufficient for survival. Academics will get you in the game, but won't let you play."

Russ Loges, 31, from Dayton, knows.

Loges graduated from Miami University with a degree in zoology about 10 years ago, but recently came back to Butler Tech to get his licensed practical nursing degree while he was working in sales.

"It's a great, stable job," he said.

Twenty-one-year-old Rachel Forman is completing the

10-month LPN program at Butler Tech. She calls it "a faster route into the field" than a four-year college.

"This way, I can work as an LPN while getting my (Registered Nurse degree)," she said.

A few months ago, Stacey Lockmeyer, 17, a Middletown High School senior, became a State Test Nurse Aide. She'll be able to work in the field while she pursues her LPN and RN.

Talawanda High School senior AnnaMarie Shea wants to get into graphic design and came to the district's D. Russel Lee high school for the commercial arts lab.

There, Shea said she has her hands on digital media every day and is doing things specifically to get into the college of her choice.

It is opportunities like these that are helping erase the stigma of vocational schools, which have been viewed as places for lower-level students, problem students or those not college-bound.

"The image of this school has changed dramatically from 'this is where lesser-tiered kids go' to 'these are college-bound students,'" said Tom Birdwell, board president.

The secret, leaders say: They run the district like a business with students as customers.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2813 or mcrosby@coxohio.com.