Jessamine, Woodford counties join forces for adult ed.

Published 2:02 pm Thursday, June 21, 2018

Facility set to open in new location next month off Wilmore Road

Adult education in Jessamine County is combining with Woodford County to create a larger adult education presence in the coming months.

In addition to the new partnership, the Jessamine County Center for Adult Education will be moving from its location on Computex Drive to 851 Wilmore Road between the Jessamine Early Learning Village and Warner Elementary. The move came after the Providence School in Wilmore chose to move to the facility on Computex Drive rather than renovate their current location in Wilmore.

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Mary Newton, director of adult education for Jessamine County schools, said June 15 was their last day in the old facility. The new location will open July 10 for students from both counties.

The new adult education facility is closer to Nicholasville, and Newton said that was the reason it was selected.

“This move will benefit our students as it will put us closer to the heart of downtown Nicholasville and will be much more convenient for our students for whom transportation is an issue,” Newton said.

Jessamine County will be the leader of the new partnership with Woodford County. Newton said the partnership originated from the state’s wish to lower administrative overhead costs so as many resources as possible could be channeled to helping students.

“Our program is funded through a grant from Kentucky Adult Education Skills U, which provides funding for adult education in all 120 counties,” Newton said. “Beginning in fiscal year 2018-19, in order to reduce administrative costs thus allowing more direct funding for students services, KYAE Skills U has opted to fund ‘service areas’ rather than individual counties.”

“Woodford County schools has already proven to be an excellent partner as we’ve entered this new service area model.”

Newton said adult education is important because it provides a second chance for people who didn’t get to finish school for various reasons.

“Our program helps adult students gain the skills they need to earn a GED, prepare for post-secondary education and/or entering the workforce,” Newton said. “We offer GED prep classes, English as a second language classes and give professional certification exams through our Pearson Vue Testing Center.”

For more information, call (859) 887-9052, or visit facebook.com/jessamineadulteducation.