Photo Provided Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Technology Director Lisa Clark, left, and Superintendent Brent Ripley answer questions Wednesday about workforce training opportunities in a multipurpose expansion to be constructed on the district campus.

BRIDGEPORT — Community leaders believe the sky’s the limit in terms of education and training opportunities for students and adults in and around the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District.

District leaders, community members and the heads of Belmont County agencies had a productive discussion Wednesday during the second of three public meetings about the state-funded, 28,500-square-foot expansion to be constructed on campus by the end of 2026.

Last summer, the district announced $13.8 million in state funds for the project, dubbed “the Bridge.” On Wednesday, the focus was on an additional Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding that the district is seeking to enhance adult workforce training.

Superintendent Brent Ripley welcomed attendees, many of whom offered suggestions.

Director Mike Schlanz of Ohio Means Jobs of Belmont County brought up the demand for bus drivers and commercial driver’s license training and certification. In answer to a question from Ripley, Schlanz said there is a need for health-related professionals such as direct care and home health aids to assist people with disabilities. He said the oil and gas industry also has jobs for people with credentials. Schlanz and Ripley talked about apprenticeships.

Ripley said the district has spoken with the Experience Church, which will handle day care, about possibly working with students who want to graduate with day care certifications.

“It would be nice for our kids to be able to graduate with some of those things or offer them for adults as well,” Ripley said.

Prior to the meeting, Schlanz said the Bridge will dovetail with Ohio Means Jobs’ services.

“Our job center will be a partner in whatever capacity we’re able to do as far as helping people get employment with training and assistance,” Schlanz said. “This is unique to our area. This is a first in our area.”

Schlanz also suggested the Bridge could work with the Eastern Ohio Aspire adult education program offered through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. Board member Kori Rosnick said resume writing and interview skills are other services adults might need.

Jerry Moore Sr., former school board member and current member of the county NAACP, suggested an adult literacy program. He hopes many people will take advantage of the opportunities the Bridge offers.

“It is a very positive step already for the community. There’s a lot of advantages to having something like this,” he said, adding the NAACP will be using the Bridge for its community events. “We’re all about education, because we give out scholarships every year to students in Belmont County.”

Director Jeff Felton of the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services is excited about the project and looks forward to partnering with the district.

“Our main mission is to get people off of public assistance, get them in the workforce,” he said.

Felton said transportation has been a significant barrier, and the centralized location of the Bridge should make services more readily accessible.

“If we can come to them, and they can get here easier, we can serve many more kids as well as adults. I think it’s going to be good for everybody. We’re in walking distance from lots of housing, and the kids are here during school hours,” Delton noted.

Felton foresees having a DJFS case manager on site two days a week to take applications. He said adults might benefit from training in “soft skills” such as workplace expectations.

“There’s a lot of potential to move even more forward and having services more accessible to the public.Rather than having them come to us, we come to them,” he said. “Congratulations to the school district on getting that grant. It’s a big coup.”

Ripley has noted that about 29,000 people in the surrounding area could access the school district through public transportation.

Among attendees were retired teachers Donna Kennedy and her husband, Dennis, who are enthusiastic.

“We were interested in finding out about this new project, and from what I see tonight I am very impressed. I’m so glad they’re integrating the community with the school and all the programs that they will offer sound wonderful for not only the students, but for some of the community members,” Donna Kennedy said. “I think that’ll be a boost to our economy, and the parents will have the opportunity to better themselves.”

Other suggestions included mentoring and respite providers for children with behavioral needs, training in financial literacy, budgeting and computer literacy.

Ripley said community input is proving valuable since no one person has all the answers.

“We have a saying here in Bridgeport: The power’s in the team,” he said. “The more voices we have, the less we’re going to miss and the better job we’re going to do for everybody in Bridgeport, birth through adulthood. We really want to make this a one-stop-shop for anyone that wants to bring their kid to Bridgeport school district.”

Ripley reviewed how plans evolved during summer meetings as the board of education heard from community stakeholders. Security is a top priority, with the adults and students strictly separated. Medical providers will be available, and the Medicaid-funded OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) program, which already has an office in the district. It will also expand its services of connecting children and families with needed resources. Ripley said the district’s partnership with organizations such as Bridgeport’s Rotary club and the NAACP will facilitate community events in the Bridge and help instill values of service in students.

Ripley said the goal is for students to graduate either with a start in college or with workforce credentials.

The ARC grant application will be sent mid-February.

Technology Director Lisa Clark said information about the Bridge including community suggestions and responses can be found at the district website, bridgeportschools.net. More information will be released on the district app. Anyone with questions can call the district office at 740-635-1713 or email brent.ripley@bridgeportschools.net.

The third public meeting will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 25 at the campus.