Calhoun and Morgan County Schools Celebrate Opening of New Career Tech School
(News Release) On December 17, Calhoun Community College, in partnership with Morgan County Schools, celebrated a historic milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the Morgan County Schools Rural Development Park (RDP), a newly repurposed Career Tech High School designed to transform workforce development for students across Morgan County.
The celebration drew local legislators, education leaders, community partners, and students who gathered to witness the launch of Alabama’s first fully integrated, employer-connected, dual-enrollment training model within a high school environment. Morgan County Schools Superintendent Tracie Turrentine said the ribbon cutting signaled “a new chapter of opportunity for the students of Morgan County,” describing the Rural Development Park as a place where education meets workforce development and where students gain the skills and confidence to build their futures close to home. She emphasized that the initiative is an investment in both the community and its young people, because “every student matters, and every moment counts.”
The Rural Development Park was created after the State of Alabama established a dedicated line item within the Alabama Education Trust Fund to support rural healthcare initiatives. Superintendent Turrentine recognized the chance to build something meaningful for Morgan County and worked alongside Calhoun to secure the grant funding that brought the school to life.
The formerly unused school building has now been fully renovated, with the redesigned one-story wing spanning nearly 25,000 square feet. RDP currently serves 80 students, all of whom are dual-enrolled with Calhoun Community College. Admission requires meeting Calhoun’s entry standards, and students attend classes on-site for two periods in the morning or two periods after lunch. All instruction is delivered by Calhoun faculty who teach on campus daily. Morgan County Schools Principal Brooke Hudson expressed pride in finally opening the facility after nearly two years of planning and thanked state legislators for providing the resources to make it possible. She noted that Morgan County is proud to launch a first-of-its-kind model that delivers employer-led, dual-enrollment training directly to high school students.
“This initiative reflects what can happen when K–12 and higher education work together toward shared goals,” commented Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Calhoun President. “The partnership with Morgan County Schools is helping us to build a strong pipeline of skilled students prepared for high-demand careers, which is essential for the long-term success of the region,” Hodges adds.
RDP launched in Fall 2025 with a mission to redefine the high school experience and bridge the gap between education and career readiness. Students have the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an industry-recognized credential at no cost. Current programs include Physical Therapy Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Lab Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Nursing Support Technician, Pre-Nursing, Sterile Processing Technician, Aerospace Technician, and Machine Tool Technician. New programs set to launch in Fall 2026 include Dental Assisting, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Year 2 programs in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Aerospace, and Machining. All programs are available to juniors and seniors across Morgan County, with tuition fully covered through the partnership with Calhoun Community College.
“This model is powerful because students receive college-level instruction at an early stage from credentialed faculty who understand workforce expectations,” said Wes Rakestraw, Calhoun’s Vice President of Academic Affairs. “They are gaining real career skills and earning industry-recognized credentials long before high school graduation, creating significant opportunities for both students and future employers,” he adds.
The opening of RDP signals a new standard for career technical education in Alabama. With strong academic foundations, employer-aligned training, and dedicated support from both Calhoun and Morgan County Schools, the Rural Development Park is positioned to become a model for districts across the state. “This team of educational professionals is redefining the high school experience, and this is only the beginning,” added Principal Hudson.