LISBON — With parking lot expansion and the precision machining lab renovation nearly complete, Columbiana County Career and Technical Center Superintendent Chuck Adkins is turning his attention toward the growing nursing program and possibility of a need for additional space for it.

Adkins reported to the CCCTC board last week that pieces equipment weighing 10,000 pounds are being moved into the precision machining lab and there is another $200,000 in equipment coming from Youngstown State later in the year.

Adkins pointed out the board has shown a real commitment to the students at the CCCTC and he would like to see them continue as they look at improvement to the adult education program, especially the medical fields next.

Dr. Kelly Darney, director of adult education, said she has the largest number of LPNs graduating, 51, next month, including eight who started out by taking the high school program and continuing into adult ed. Additionally, there are 55 people starting a new LPN class and 30 people studying in the LPN to RN program. She currently has 187 people on the waiting list for the 30 slots when the next LPN to RN program begins.

Darney said the Ohio Board of Nursing only allows the CCCTC program to have 40 in the LPN to RN program, but she has kept the program to 30 due to a need for additional instructors and space for the classes.

Adkins has had architects looking at possible remodeling or expansion of the medical wing, as well as making sure there is enough room for even further expansion should the CCCTC decide to have a diesel program in the future.

Board member Mike Ellyson questioned whether maybe building up instead of out might be better and Adkins talked about some of the pros and cons of the idea, such as building sprinkler codes and Americans with Disability Act compliance issues.

“If you are running out of space go up,” Ellyson said, adding he thinks going up may even save some money.

In another matter, the board approved having a school resource officer through the county sheriff’s office again this school year. Adkins said he was grateful to Eileen Dray-Bardon, director of the Jobs and Family Services in the county, and Sheriff Ray Stone, who along with county commissioners were able to find some money to assist the CCCTC in covering the cost of having the school resource officer return for another year.

The deputy will work 40 hours at the CCCTC unless called away for an emergency elsewhere in the county.

The CCCTC started another year already on the high school side last week and Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Corbisello said they did not have to replace any instructors this year. Corbisello said in his opinion the CCCTC is a great place to work, where they challenge the instructors and respect their skills but don’t put any undo stress on them.

In other matters:

— The board approved hiring adult education instructors Sean Collins, Nelda Hawkins, Brandon Lucas and John Roessler. The board approved certified/licensed substitute Frances Shaw.

— The board adjusted the hours of adult education instructor Karen Holshue from 950 to 1,200 hours.

— The board approved the coffee shop staff, Brenda Pilarcik and Mary Keller, at a rate of $13 per hour for the school year.

— The board approved acceptance of a long list of donated auto parts from Power GM in Calcutta for the auto technology program and some courtyard pavers from Reading Rock Inc., of Cincinnati for the landscape and environmental design program.

djohnson@mojonews.com