Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 School Board Vice Chairwoman Shirley Brown said the facility represented one of many examples of the collaboration of the School Board and municipal and county governments for the sake of students. Superintendent Lori White added that the new location is more convenient for students and will save the district about $40,000 a year in maintenance costs compared to the old facility, the release points out. "Venice Mayor John Holic said he is very pleased to see more services being offered for students who are interested in careers that do not require a college degree," the release continues. "He noted that his son is an SCTI alumnus whose training led to a very successful career." Page 72 Holic added that providing learning opportunities for students who are coming out of high school and are not college-bound is essential to helping young people find jobs and stay in Venice, according to the release. "He said he hopes to see the VHS branch become the seed for a whole center of SCTI for the Venice area." Site Facilitator Kathleen Obendorf noted she is looking forward to helping students who are not likely to go to Harvard, but who need to go to work, have the opportunity to learn job skills, continue their education and be successful. "I love this school," she said in the release. "The Chamber of Commerce is happy we are here and we are happy to be here." The elected officials, educators and business leaders participating in the Nov. 8 ribbon cutting for SCTI-Venice, included (from left) Venice Mayor John Holic, Sarasota County Schools Executive Director of Career Technical and Adult Education Todd Bowden, School Board member Frank Kovach, SCTI-Venice Site Facilitator Kathleen Obendorf, Venice City Council member Kit McKeon, School Board Vice Chairwoman Shirley Brown, Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines, Venice City Council member Jeanette Gates, Venice Chamber of Commerce President John Ryan, Venice Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Kathy Leavitt, and Venice City Council member Emilio Carlesimo. Contributed photo