A dream became reality today when ground was broken on the new school of robotics and engineering at Floyd County College and Career Academy. Formerly Floyd County Technical High School, the new charter school officially opens this fall.

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Floyd County Schools, in partnership with Coosa Valley Technical College and the local business community, partnered to create the new charter school. The school was approved by the state board of education in January.

“I’m very excited — I recently found a statement I wrote when I ran (for the Floyd School Board seat) and a personal goal of mine was to see us expand the technical/vocational career opportunities,” said Teresa Lumsden, a board member.

The new addition to the school is being built with a $3.2 million grant from the state of Georgia and is expected to open by fall 2009.

Today we began to see the fruition of our promise to Georgia’s students to provide a new and innovative approach to education,” said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who helped spearhead funding for career academies across the state. “Career academies were a priority to me because the unique partnership of the career academy, technical college and area businesses provides an unbelievable launching pad for students and their future careers.

“I am very proud of Coosa Valley Technical College and Floyd County school system and I have great expectations for what this new career academy will mean to students here in Floyd,” Cagle added.

PICTURED ABOVE: Frank Pinson, CEO of the charter school, Justin Whelchel, student at Floyd County Technical High School, Bo Bragg, principal of the charter school, Lynn Plunkett, superintendent of Floyd County Schools, Al Hodge, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce president and Craig McDaniel, president of Coosa Valley Technical College break ground on the new school of robotics and engineering at the Floyd County College and Career Academy