The Clark County Community Education Advisory Council met No. 20.

The meeting was called to order by Community Education coordinator Greg Yates.

Members present were Kent Coogle (Family Resource Centers), Charlie Pasley (Clark Energy), Deputy County Judge-Executive Janet Townsend, Bruce Manley (BCTC), Derek Mastin (Catalent), Debbie Fatkin (Clark County Community Services), Mayor Ed Burtner, Angela Bereznak (Clark County Health Department), Michael Smith (Franklin Ave Church of the Living God), Gordon Parido (Clark County Board of Education member), Kirsten Petrey (MurrayPetrey CPA), Deborah Jackson (Parks and Recreation), Madison Mathieu (Edward Jones), Alycia Okolo and Grissom Yates (GRC students).

The meeting was chaired by Yates.

Members absent were Sarah Alexander (CRMC), Cindy Banks (Chamber of Commerce) and Mike Caldwell (The Winchester Sun).

After introductions, Yates explained milestones that had occurred since the last meeting in September.

Yates helped recruit local businesses to participate in the GRC College and Career Fair. He shared some ideas for improving the event for next year.

He also helped recruit businesses for the RDC Operation College and Career Day.

Classes are ongoing from the fall catalog with limited attendance and work has begun on lining up classes and sponsors for the spring catalog with a projected  March 5 publication date.

Yates is still taking new class ideas. New classes that will be offered in the spring include: Conversational Spanish, Sign Language for Beginners, Financial Foundations, Beginning Pickleball, Intro to Chess and more.

He also asked the group to check out the new website layout.

Highlights from recent events included attending the Kentucky Community Education Association Region 9 legislative breakfast in Owingsville. CCPS Superintendant Paul Christy attended as well. He briefed the Leadership Winchester class on their education day earlier this month.

Last week, Yates attended the Fall Institute and gained some new ideas for potential programs.

Bereznak asked if they could still add classes for the spring catalog, so Yates explained the timeline for when information would be needed. The intent is for the spring catalog to be mailed on or about March 5 with classes going from mid-March through the end of May.

Jackson offered to help find some local artists to teach classes going forward.

Manley recommended we consider creating a subscription service where people pay a set price for a year and they can take any class.

Yates then asked for the members to share anything important happening with their organization.

Bereznak let everyone know the Clark County Mental Health Task Force made their Mental Health and Substance Misuse Resource Guide available on their website at www.ClarkHealthDept.org. Freedom from Smoking class starts in January. She also reminded everyone about the next Dangers In Plain Sight class coming up on Feb. 6 at BCTC about online dangers.

Fatkin reminded everyone about Operation Happiness Day of Giving on Dec. 18. They still need volunteers and you must sign up by going to www.OperationHappiness.net.

Jackson reminded everyone about the annual gingerbread house building party coming up on Dec. 14. They are currently fundraising to make improvements to College Park. Parks and Rec received a grant which will be used to address all 11 parks in our community and develop a master plan.

Townsend is gearing up for the annual Christmas Parade Dec. 7.

Parido updated the group on progress of the athletic facilities at GRC. The new gym should open mid-January. GRC hosted a band contest over two weekends in October that brought more than 10,000 people to our community.

Mastin is getting more involved with the community especially with issues pertaining to veterans. They are participating in the angel tree program with our schools again this year.

Manley reminded everyone the spring semester starts Jan. 10. Students can apply now, and this includes a phlebotomy class. He reminded everyone about the hemp agribusiness course being offered in the spring at our Winchester campus and online. BCTC also offers essential skills training on a variety of business-related subjects.

Coogle spoke about how all the FRCs are gearing up for the holidays in their respective schools. Shop with a Cop will be Dec. 15.

The next meeting will be at noon Jan. 15 at the downtown Central Bank.