Clarion, PA – The Clarion County Career Center (CCCC) Practical Nursing Program is set to shut down, according to reports from Hugh Henry, president of the Clarion Area School Board and a member of the CCCC Joint Operating Board. This announcement was made during a Clarion Area School Board meeting on Tuesday night, marking a significant change for vocational training in the region.
Henry stated at the meeting that while the Practical Nursing Program is ceasing operations, there is considerable interest from external parties in leasing the facility. He highlighted the potential for the community to continue benefiting from the space, suggesting that new educational opportunities could emerge through these leasing arrangements. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s where it is at. There are individuals interested in leasing that part of the facility and it would be a situation where our community could utilize it, but the individuals would provide the additional content,” Henry explained.
The Clarion County Career Center Practical Nursing Program played a crucial role in training aspiring healthcare professionals to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The program was fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), a testament to its commitment to quality education and adherence to national standards. Furthermore, it held provisional approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, ensuring graduates were eligible to sit for the state board exams required to practice as LPNs. This accreditation and approval underscored the program’s rigor and its importance in the local healthcare education landscape.
The announcement regarding the Practical Nursing Program was part of a broader meeting that addressed various personnel and administrative matters. Among the personnel actions were several resignations and new appointments across different roles within the Clarion Area School District. Jaclyn Emert resigned from her positions as Paraprofessional and Nurse Tech, and Christina Toth stepped down as Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach. New appointments included Barbara Kunselman, Georgia Clowser, and Alec Pataski as Paraprofessionals, and Chandra Scheftic as the new Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach. Additionally, Nicole Carroll from Marianne Family Practice was appointed to review IEPs for ACCESS Billing. Volunteer Joel Rosko was approved for Wrestling, and Lisa Craig was approved as a Van Driver for Brown Busing. Kelly Gribik was granted a leave without pay.
The school board also approved several conference requests for staff development. These included conferences on Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Professional Pest Manager School, TACT II Training, and the CUP Safe Schools Summit, demonstrating the district’s commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth for its employees.
In other business, the Board accepted the resignation of Sara Seidle-Patton as solicitor and is currently seeking a replacement. An agreement with Learn Well to provide educational services at the Clarion Psychiatric Center was set to conclude, with Clarion Area School District staff taking over those services. Furthermore, members for the Comprehensive Plan Committee were approved, representing administration, education specialists, faculty, parents, community members, and local business, indicating a collaborative approach to strategic planning. A Memorandum of Understanding with the Clarion Area Educational Support Professionals was also approved, and the date for the next board meeting was set for November 12.
The closure of the Clarion County Career Center Practical Nursing Program marks the end of a significant chapter in local vocational nursing education. While the reasons for the closure were not detailed in the meeting report, the potential for repurposing the facility offers a glimmer of hope for future community and educational endeavors in Clarion County. Aspiring nurses in the region may need to explore alternative LPN programs in nearby areas to pursue their healthcare careers.
