Students take over county school system

Published 3:12 pm Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Butler County Schools Superintendent Amy Bryan surrendered her office on Tuesday to McKenzie School’s Chris Shufford as part of the school system’s Career Tech Education take over.

Butler County Schools Superintendent Amy Bryan surrendered her office on Tuesday to McKenzie School’s Chris Shufford as part of the school system’s Career Tech Education take over.

Some local high school students got a closer look at possible careers Tuesday.

Nearly 30 students from Greenville High School, Georgiana School and McKenzie School took part in the Butler County School System’s inaugural Take Over Day.

The students filled every role at the Central Office from superintendent to transportation supervisor.

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“This was a great event both for our students and central office team,” said Amy Bryan, who surrendered her post as superintendent to McKenzie’s Chris Shufford. “Since it was our first time, we all were a little bit nervous. Central Office team members showed off what all they are responsible for and students gained a better understanding of how our school system truly is a system — with everyone doing their own unique parts to make things work better at our schools. I was pleased at the ‘take-aways’ shared by every single student. They are taking away great life skills for any future job – not just in an office or in education.”

The Take Over Day was held in conjunction with Career and Technical Education Month, which is recognized each February and recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of career tech programs across the country.

“We wanted to do something to highlight our program here, and give some of our students an opportunity to learn leadership skills from some of the leaders in our school system,” said Jennifer Burt, Butler County Schools career tech director.

David Hutchison, executive director of the Butler County Commission of Economic Development, was on hand for Tuesday’s program. Hutchison, who is tasked with recruiting industry to the area, said programs like this are an important ingredient to developing a competent workforce.

“I’m interested to see what the process is going to be like,” he said. “The school system is vital to economic development. We’ve had two or three industrial prospects in town the last six or eight months visit the Career Academy (at Greenville High School) to see what skills are being taught.”

Students taking part in Tuesday’s program were Shufford, Grace McCann, Jacob Vickery, Monica Mixon, Andrew Dantzler, JaFreshia Shepard, Tahja Herbert, Erica Smith, Cordarius Longmire, LaPoriah Clemons, Quintasia McNeil, Analeise Trawick, Angelanette Brown, Catlin Coleman, Danielle Tyus, Daziah Rich, Tia Bedgood, Tamara Bedgood, Beyoncey Crenshaw, Janasia Johnson, Nikkia Tolbert, William Brown, Catherine Odom, CyCy Jackson, Mya Coleman and Shakira White.