BROOKFIELD, Ohio – A new Brookfield Local Schools center will allow students to access career training and provide services for the community.
“Today is a celebration of vision, perseverance, partnership and what is possible when a community comes together around a shared purpose,” Superintendent Toby Gibson said Tuesday at a ribbon cutting for the Brookfield Regional Community Training and Learning Center.
The building, located in the former Tiffany Event Center, 601 Bedford Road SE, behind the board of education office, houses the district’s Industry 4.0, building trades, career based intervention, Warrior Online Academy, esports, a food pantry, school liaison services and Scope Senior Services.
“This center is a representation of our district’s three big rocks,” Gibson said. “These are the foundation of what we strive to accomplish: innovation in education, pride in the district and service to the community. It is a place where students can earn college credit and industry credentials, where adults will be able to access workforce training, where community members can connect to resources that improve the quality of life.”
He called it an example of the district’s commitment to a cradle-to-career approach to education and community development.
Partners and community members were invited to tour the new center as part of Tuesday’s celebration.
John Sofranko, senior representative of the Central Midwest Carpenters, liked what he saw.
“I think it’s fabulous what’s going on in Brookfield, for them to have this opportunity to expand their shop space and then open it up for our career connections programs and the students that go through the shop,” he said. “It just gives them a fast track opportunity to go into the building trades or any construction trade you have.”
The district bought the building about 15 months ago for about $600,000 with district funds. It was renovated with grants and through agreements: a $1.4 million state career technical education equipment grant, a $250,000 Appalachian Regional Council grant through the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and a $250,000 joint lease agreement with Youngstown State University, which has offices in the new center.
While the district sends 30 to 40 students to Trumbull Career & Technical Center each year, some programs are at capacity, Gibson said.
“We have a lot of students that still want to do these types of programs,” but they want to remain in their home district, he said.
Programs at the center enable students to earn industry recognized credentials, making them more marketable. Many students enrolled in career-tech programs at Brookfield get recruited by companies before they graduate, Gibson said.
“We’ve had students graduate high school, and three weeks later they’re making $65,000 because of some of the credentials that they were able to take for free in high school,” he said.
Programs at the training center are open to high school students as electives.
Scope will provide programming for people age 55 and older, and the district is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to provide a food pantry.
The superintendent envisions more programming at the center. If funding becomes available, he hopes to add a welding lab that would be available for students during the school day and for adult learners in the evening.
Kristen Foster, Brookfield’s director of teaching and learning, said she and Gibson started their careers in education in Brookfield at the same time. He always had big dreams for the district and the community, she said.
“When he first shared his vision for this space, my mission was simple: help translate those big ideas into real, life-changing opportunities for our students,” Foster said.
To bring the vision to life, the district partnered with leadership as well as regional and local employers to understand what students need to be successful in today’s workforce.
“In this state-of-the-art facility, students will gain hands-on experience in esports, advanced manufacturing, robotics, building trades, online and distance learning and career-based interventions,” Foster said. “Looking ahead, this center will serve our entire community through targeted programming and shared spacing.”
Besides programming by Scope, the center will enable workforce training during evening hours for businesses, and community groups will have accessible gathering and event space.
YSU has dedicated office space in the new building, and the district also has partnerships with the University of Akron and Stark State College, Foster said. Those partnerships will move student possibilities beyond high-value industry credentials by offering college credits, preapprenticeships and degree pathways.
Derek Mihalcin, board of education president, said the project represents what can happen when people come together around a shared purpose.
“While this community learning center will undoubtedly benefit our current students, its impact extends far beyond our school walls,” he said. “It will serve as a resource for families, help prepare a skilled local workforce, support regional growth and provide opportunities that will benefit our community for many years to come. This facility stands as a lasting investment in education and economic development.”
He also credited Gibson for the project becoming a reality.
“This center would not have been possible if it wasn’t for his vision and his passion,” Mihalcin said. “He honors our history, he embraces our present and he inspires our future.”
Pictured at top: Brookfield Schools Superintendent Toby Gibson.