EDUCATION
ACADEMY NEEDED
%ob /udlum, a plumbing contractor and a former vice
president of 7reasure &oast %uilders $ssociation, told the
council in October that a career academy is “extremely
needed.” Some of the trades needed were not being offered in
the county’s public schools, he added.
“7his academy will be the gateway to fulfilling the needs illustrated
in the 7reasure &oast Skills *ap Study,” stated
an invitation to residents, asking them to come to a 1ovember
workshop to learn about Somerset’s plans.
The charter school company already operates two schools
in the city, one focused on college prep for grades in St.
/ucie :est and an elementary school for grades . in southern
3ort St. /ucie, not far from %ecker 5oad.
“:e are, as a company, $rated, Southern $ssociation of
&olleges and Schools accredited, we have over years of
experience, and we have the finances to do this,” says Erika
5ains, principal of Somerset &ollege 3reparatory $cademy in
St. /ucie :est. “Somerset has been here for eight years, and
we know our community.” 5ains lives in 7radition and has
represented Somerset before the city council.
5ichard Moreno, from the nonprofit %uilding +ope, is
serving as financial advisor to Somerset. +e told the council
in October that the school would need 25.225 acres for a
building about , sTuare feet and could cost Somerset
$18 million. Carvelli says the hands-on labs could add
another million. 7he school will be constructed in phases,
Moreno said, and Somerset would have the financing to do it.
5ains says the academy would begin with grades in its
first year. 7he second year would add grades . 7he third
year would add th and th grades, and the fourth would
add 12th grade.
7he new school would focus on the trades that *obnait
Zick’s 11-year-old son has an interest in — trades such as
welding, electrical and construction. +e will have a chance to
look over many different trades before settling on one.
%ut it would also teach early childhood education, health
sciences, culinary, cosmetology, outboard marine service and
advanced manufacturing technology, such as operating a
robotic arm via computer.
The vo-tech school would also provide the core curriculum
reTuired by the state for a high school diploma. *raduates
could enter the Mob market immediately or go on to college. >>
46 Port St. Lucie Magazine
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION:
1. Animated 360-degree view of IRSC’s planned Treasure
Coast Advanced Manufacturing Center:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slOCDVX1PN4&
feature=youtu.be.
2. Detailed slide presentation of Somerset Academy’s plans
shown during the community workshop meeting:
https://www.cityofpsl.com/home/
showdocument?id=8020
3. Port St. Lucie’s web page about the city’s plans for a
career academy:
https://www.cityofpsl.com/government/projectsimprovements/
career-technical-academy
INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE
Indian River State College plans to construct a $23 million, 55,000-square-foot building to teach trades and advanced manufacturing on its Fort Pierce
*aTpus. (fter students receive a diploTa, and possibly a trade certification, froT the planned votech school in Port St. Lucie, they ^ould have the option
of continuing their education and skills training at IRSC.
/watch?v=slOCDVX1PN4&
/