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Community support is our strength at Thorn Hill

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September 29, 2009

I am confident that our cup here is much more full than empty. The community education that takes place at Thorn Hill will continue, through the support of Sen. Julian Carroll, Judge Executive Ted Collins, Franklin County Schools Superintendent Harrie Buecker, our foundation headed by Joe Johnson, our board headed by Tom Utterback, as well as our community.

From the approximate $235,000 federal set aside from Congressman Ben Chandler's office and the proceeds raised by the foundation at the recent telethon, we have funds to repair the building. At the meeting, a commitment was made by those mentioned here to work out details regarding ownership of the building so we can go forward with repairs. Superintendent Buecker has committed to remain as fiscal agent until the close of this fiscal year and to foster arrangements for our future regarding the building ownership and repairs.

Recognizing our success, other local education institutions have expressed interest in becoming our fiscal agent. Through our three programs, the after school program ASK, community education classes, and the learning center, over a thousand families per year participate in life long learning here. Last year at the learning center, 461 people enrolled with 65 in two correctional facilities. Of those, 118 obtained a GED, 30 transitioned to college, 75 improved English language skills, and 33 participated in family literacy.

Yes, we are looking at change. As a teacher here, I can tell you that we are a nationally recognized life long learning program that our local community highly values. Thorn Hill will keep the doors open.

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6.	Posted by jstivers1 October 1, 2009
	Are the socio eco status of students there going to learn and then go to work somewhere? I really question ( not as a member of Academia) but as a citizen . . . the need and the results of this program. And, what percent of those taking the Spanish classes are legal green carders. . . has anyone ever asked them for their ID and checked it out? Why should the system allow illegals to receive training when they have 0 invested in education system? This is more of a political structure than an a true Academic structure. Witness by the survival thru FEDERAL GRANTS. Academia is a master at FEDERAL GRANTS.

5.	Posted by thehalfofit October 1, 2009
	Barry, I will give you a call sometime today. I didn't mean my first response to sound harsh, and I realize that it did. I hope there are enough people who can work together to help Thornhill stay open. I believe there are, but it will take a Herculean effort. Piranha, I'm sure when the arrangement originally started (28 years ago, according to yesterday's article), the idea was that the county school system was investing in the community. All of us benefit when anyone in the community improves her or his opportunity to get a job or to further education. We all benefit from people forming relationships and retaining mental acuity through community education classes. Obviously the research didn't exist to suggest those benefits decades ago, but I'm sure educators noticed the anecdotal effects.

4.	Posted by hillbillyman September 30, 2009
	The Thorn Hill Education Center should not be funded by the Franklin County School System. They have enough schools to support, so why should they support an education center that just offers GEDs and non-supporting classes? They never done anything for me.

3.	Posted by BSquare September 30, 2009
	Anais, Thornhill Education Center enjoys working with volunteers, and it sounds like you have great ideas! I will be out of the office tomorrow, but would like to talk with you about volunteering and fundraising ideas. Please give me a call tomorrow, or Friday, 223-3110. Thanks for your concern and your comments! Barry

2.	Posted by thehalfofit September 30, 2009
	I don't understand the idea of buying a building that sounds as if it's in terrible shape. Wouldn't the money better be spent purchasing a quality building, even if it's smaller? Why, oh why, would you consider paying for the repairs to the building when the county school board (or at least its superintendent) intends to sell the building in 9 months. What if you don't win the auction? Your money is spent with nothing to show for it. I'm all for Thorn Hill staying open, but it takes more than hope and cheer to make that happen. The SJ article said this morning that the annual budget is $850,000 and that FCPS is paying $100,000 per year for building and other costs. The non-profit foundation raised only $9,000, and even with Chandler's $235,000, you're not even at 1/3 of the needed money. That said, I do think it can be done, but major changes need to take place. Creative thinking means looking at other locations, different classes, and possible changes in fee schedules. Fundraisers need to be large-scale to reach people who may not give otherwise but will participate in fund-raising campaigns that mean they "get" something - food, entertainment, etc. For those of us who are TV-free or who have satellite, the Cable 10 telethon didn't even reach our homes. What about renting out the Grand Theater and putting on a performance on a budget? How about a fundraising dinner? Why not plan a children's festival with fundraising as a goal? As for the non-profit foundation, they don't even seem to have a website. You can make a PayPal donation on the FCPS website, but there's no contact information. There doesn't appear to be any reaching out for community volunteers (and yes, I'd be happy to help out). Those things will be necessary to make the community education center a mainstay here.