Automotive Program Back In Gear

The Following is a transcript of Patrick Frank`s 11 p.m. story. The Auto Mechanics Classes are now back in the curriculum. After administrators saw the community support, they couldn`t help but reinstate the program. Clapping and cheering fills the Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech School. It`s a big improvement for the crowd that was gathered here just 2 weeks ago. "It`s just a big weight lifted off my shoulders." says Ashley Brown a Vo-Tech Student The school board is re-instating the school`s auto mechanics courses. Administrators originally cancelled the program, saying it needed at least 300-thousand dollars in upgrades in the next few years. But hundreds of people came to a meeting to show support for the classes. School Administrator Steve Walk tells us "They handled themselves in a very positive manner and they wanted to help the school to help the students. I was very pleased with that total process." The support came from students, parents, and others in the auto mechanics business. Steve Rapp of Kemberling Auto says "There`s a national shortage of qualified repair techs. If we don`t encourage young people who want to enter the field, who`s gonna fix your car in 10 years." The community interest was just one of the reasons for the reversal. Some of the districts who send students to the Vo-Tech school wouldn`t support the budget if it didn`t include the car repair program. It`s a welcome change for Ashley Srown, a Sophomore who wants to fix cars in the future. "I knew from when I was knee-high that I would work under cars when I got older. And I plan on continuing it." Some school board members say they never had enough information from the administration about what was needed to update the car repair program. But steve Walk, the School Administrator, says the increased interest and new state grants will help make sure the program stays alive and up-to-date.