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A tune-up for Auto Tech
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Published: May 20, 2009
Despite the town's moniker as Race City USA, the Mooresville Graded School District has only been able to provide a limited automotive education to students since the program's inception.
But that's about to change.
The board of education has approved an $85,000 construction project at the N.F. Woods Advanced Technology & Arts Center for the school's automotive technology program. The renovation to the facilities will provide students with a "level two" option previously unavailable.
"I want to make this a functional shop," said Mike Moore, the program's teacher, who noted that advanced brake and electrical work are nearly impossible in a facility that is exposed to the weather.
The program now operates out of a small, fenced-in space shared with the construction classes. Moore said cold days and rain often force students inside the building where they can't get the hands-on learning he believes many teenagers need when delving into automotive technology.
"I have a lot of students that are excited about the level two part of their program of study," added Moore, an ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) certified master automotive technician. He said N.F. Woods anticipated offering the second course this year, but due to the economy and inadequate facilities, that idea was scrapped before the school year began.
The "level one" automotive technology class – which is one class period, or approximately 90 minutes long – teaches students about the necessary tools and equipment, the four-stroke engine and the industry as well as basic electrical and transmission work, Moore said.
Additionally, students learn how to properly conduct oil changes; balance, rotate and change tires and change brakes.
The second level, he said, will expound upon those teachings, providing students with an opportunity to perform more advanced brake and electrical work and delve into a vehicle's computer system.
This class will be nearly three hours in length, encompassing two adjacent class periods in the semester.
With the approved funding to upfit the building, Moore said nearly three dozen students have already signed up for the next level of auto education, although only 24 of them will be able to take the course throughout the year.
"The administration has all been very, very supportive of this program and they made this possible," he said, noting that the program has had tremendous interest from the students despite its short time, only two years, being offered.
"They said they'd listen to the students and they did."
The $85,000 project will utilize funds from the district's Capital Outlay fund balance – funding specifically for construction, furniture and equipment purposes – to renovate and enclose the current facilities. Bay doors will be added as well as a ventilation system, said Director of Operations Stephen Mauney at the school board meeting.
"Some work on the exterior walls" will also occur in addition to some electrical work, such as the installation of outlets, and fire proofing of the building.
Construction is slated to begin next month with a completion date of mid-August, Mauney said.
Supt. Mark Edwards noted that a variety of plans were discussed prior to deciding on the "cost efficient" means of upfitting the facility.
"We've looked at several possibilities," he said. "This is a way to provide the program for the students, and in Race City USA, this is something we need."
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