SHELBY — Participating in a drone class last year spiked the interest of numerous students at Pioneer Career & Technology Center, according to superintendent Greg Nickoli.

As a result, Nickoli suggested the possibility of adding a drone class as an elective offered to the students on a regular basis at Monday night’s October Board of Education meeting. A discussion was also held regarding the possibility of some of the teachers becoming certified to teach college credit courses in the future.

In other business:

— September students of the month were Michael Bletz (Lexington, senior in the Precision Machining Technologies program) and Sydney Weber (Lexington, senior in the Media Communications program.)

Bletz hopes to work in the Tool and Die industry and work towards his Journeyman’s card. Weber plans to attend North Central State College on a Tuition Freedom Scholarship before attending either Ohio State University or Cleveland Institute of Art.

— October students of the month are Justus Hargis (Bucyrus, senior in the Welding program and Tonya Bravo (Willard, senior in the Culinary Arts program.) Hargis plans to go straight into the workforce using his welding skills. Bravo plans to go to college and major in nursing with the hopes of becoming a Maternity Nurse. She also wants to pursue a minor in dance and performing arts.

— Wynford FFA had a pork chop BBQ to raise money for the Kim Rudd Benefit. Kim Rudd is currently battling cancer. The group presented a check for $1000 to the benefit.

— Treasurer Linda Schumacher reported the 5-year forecast date has changed to November. PCTC has received partial payment of the Student Wellness and Success Funding with the rest coming in February. Pioneer was randomly chosen to have an STRS-SERS census audit and it was reported that audit went well.

— Kris Kowalski, Director of Operations noted the Cosmetology program had 23 students receive their Tanning Certificate, which falls under incorporating innovative educational practices in both academic and career technical settings goal.

— Justin Tuttle participated in Construction writing at the state level which promotes student excellence through the building of skills for lifelong success and promoting programs that facilitate student achievements.

— A Purple Star Breakfast for over 40 students was held in the Community Room recently. These students have a close friend or relative in the military. This event fosters an environment that promotes commitment and friendship.

— To promote a safe, healthy and functional environment batteries were replaced in the tech closets which is done every 3-5 years at Pioneer.

— Mr. Gaddis from TEAM NEO toured Pioneer and visited classrooms emphasizing the skills needed for the Northeast Ohio workforce. This included the Medical, IT, Web Page, and Manufacturing programs.

— Six students in various non-traditional programs participated in the SheDig program sponsored by the International Union of Operating Engineers.

— John Burgess attended Skills USA Boot Camp Advising for new advisers who fall under the goal of staying current on trends in education.

— AAA visited Pioneer and worked with the Auto Tech students doing safety checks on the student’s vehicles. All safety points were covered during the check. A checklist was sent to the student’s parents along with a 6-month membership for any student who participated in the safety check. AAA also provided a food truck and treated the students to lunch during the event. Almost 70 cars were checked including some that belonged to the staff at Pioneer.

— To ensure a safe and secure environment for all a new safety film is being installed in all entrance areas.

— In September through October several students from the urban and rural soil teams placed in county, district and state levels. The team consisting of Thomas Weithman, Jodie Jennings, Thomas Rindfuss, and Kitana Vanderfooi will compete in the National Land and Range Judging contest in Oklahoma in May 2020.

— The Lucas FFA Forestry team competed at the District Forestry contest where they placed 4th out of 27 teams. Special recognition goes to Aaron Pfeiffer, JD Cox, Jordan Ammons, and Camden Webb who lead the team to a first-ever top 4th place in District Forestry.

— On Sept. 16 Bucyrus High School students competed in the Fall Leadership DECA Conference at Bluffton University. Ashley Davis and Kelsey Fackler received a perfect score and first place in their team event.

— Donations were received from the National Technical Honor Society, Mr. Greg Dodge, Gorman Rupp Company, Tina Hurst, Elwood Keinath, and Third Street Family Health Services, Dental Clinic.

Pioneer Career and Technology Board of Education meets the third Monday of every month in the Board Room at Pioneer at 7 p.m.