On Feb. 23, about 50 parents and supporters of Oakland Science, Mathematics and Technology Academy met with officials from Oakland Schools at the Northwest Campus, 8211 Big Lake Road, Clarkston to discuss the future of the program.
The share-time program for students, grades nine through 12 includes about 125 students from Brandon, Clarkston, Holly, and Lake Orion schools. The academy maintains high standards and expectations of students with a strong interest in math, science and technology and are capable of a challenging curriculum. They also encourage innovative thinking, enable authentic learning to take place, and create partnerships to help drive curriculum and learning opportunities.
The students? school district along with Oakland School had both contribute to the OSMTech for support. However, due to several factors including state and local budget cuts along with the loss of a $90,000 Science Center grant funding for OSMTech is in jeopardy.
A proposal had been submitted for Oakland Intermediate School District (OISD) review to restructure OSMTech Academy to fit into career focused education (CFE) in the science, engineering, technology and mathematics cluster. The integrity of the OSMTech Academy curriculum will remain intact. The change is in the way that OSMTech Academy is funded.
‘The parents Ok’d the proposal and we’re just waiting on the superintendents to approve,? said Beth Nuccio, Brandon School Board president and mother of two OSMTech students.
This proposal earned the support of Interim Superintendent William Keane, Assistant Superintendent Regis Jacobs, and the Northwest Vocational Center teaching staff. This plan will provide all 28 Oakland Schools districts the opportunity to have an OSMTech Academy and the OSMTech Academy to survive as a 4-year program attracting a wider variety of students to the Technical Campuses. Students will have an opportunity to choose any of the following curriculum pathways in their junior year: Engineering and Manufacturing Technology, Visual Imaging Technology, Health/Medical Technology, Agriscience and Natural Resources Technology, or Business, Management and Marketing Technology.
In September 2003 a Parent Task Force was formed to explore the opportunities to keep the academy open. A skiing marathon was held in January 2004 at Mount Holly in Groveland Township to draw attention to the program.
‘The originators of OSMTech Academy were not afraid to take a giant step into the unknown and create an ‘awesome? learning environment,? added Nuccio.
‘It is the mission of the Parent Task Force to continue on in this same spirit. We are actively seeking partnerships with several foundations to allow the OSMTech Academy and its students the opportunity to leave a distinctive mark in science, math and technology. We understand change is difficult but we have an unfailing commitment to the success of the OSMTech Academy.?
A presentation by OSMTech students to eighth grade students will take place in the Brandon Middle School cafeteria at 8:45 a.m.March 16, 2004. Students with a strong interest in math, science and technology are encouraged to apply.The program and application process will be explained.