County Taps Talents, Ideas of Area Students Miles Shuper | 28-May-2009
County Taps Talents, Ideas of Area Students
By Miles Shuper
Tulare County - Tulare County officials have discovered that tapping the minds, talents and ideas of students and teachers can pay benefits all around.
Already, projects involving high school, community college and university students have reaped new county display at the State Capitol in Sacramento, an upgraded web site for the Tulare County Library and a business plan/feasibility plan to guide potential rail freight expansion in a three-county area.
Supervisor Allen Ishida, along with fellow board members, sees the idea of involving board members, sees the idea of involving area students in worthwhile projects as a resource which can and should be expanded. And, with budgets plunging, cost savings can also be a significant factor.
"It provides students with not only a learning experience and the display of their talents, but it also can provide almost instant gratification when the fruits of their efforts are seen by the public," he said.
Others agree the idea can grow and county departments already are suggesting projects for consideration.
After Monache High School instructor Tony Grande and students Lauren Hurt and Christian Gomez were recognized for their achievements at last week's supervisors meeting, at least six suggestions for projects were made by various department officials, said Eric Coyne, the county's media office. Coyne calls the concept "a win, win, win" situation and expects even more requests, especially for web design, to be made.
Grande said he is helping county officials contact other schools with web site design classes to become involved in an effort to spread the opportunity to more students.
Grande called the library web site project "just a neat way for students to work on something which will provide better public access" to the library.
Hurt, who is completing high school in three years, and Gomez, each received $500 Barnes and Noble gift certificates provided to the school by the county. Grande said having a realistic application for their work is a major benefit for students in vocational classes similar to his.
Coyne added that the projects are excellent additions to resume or portfolios.
If the county hired a professional web site design company, a project like the library upgrading would cost at least several thousand dollars, Coyne pointed out.
County Library officials who reviewed numerous library web sites across the ocunty, suggested the students look at the Pierce County, Washington Library web site which includes several features, including "pull-down menus" they wanted included in the Tulare County redesign.
Grande said Pierce County library officials told him the original estimate for their web site was about $30,000, well above what the county could afford. They were able to have it done for about $10,000.
Tulare County officials are looking outside web design for viable projects. Last year, several College of the Sequoias students and staff took on the challenge or revamping and modernizing the Tulare County display in the Capitol building in Sacramento. That project elicited rave reviews from county officials and others, including some who noted the previous display didn't showcase the county's diversity in creation, agriculture, natural resources and attractions. Last week, the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) got the preliminary look at the Tulare Short Line Railroad Feasibility Study provided by six Fresno State University business students.
Supervisor Ishida made it clear last week that he will continue to encourage the projects which provide numerous rewards including "spotlighting" the outstanding talents and accomplishments of students, in addition to giving them practical experience which could enhance their careers.
