A new director has been named for the Central Nine Career Center.
Nicole Otte, who has worked as the assistant director for three years, will lead the career and technical school starting next month. She is taking over for David Edds, who had previously worked as superintendent of Greenwood schools, who is retiring.
Central Nine offers career and technical courses for students from nine local and southside school districts. Students can take courses in multiple fields, from manufacturing and machining to cosmetology and culinary arts.
Otte’s goal is to continue promoting Central Nine and its programs to local schools and students. She also wants to build relationships and partnerships with local employers, she said.
Central Nine needs to be offering programs that meet those employers’ needs and that prepare students for careers in those businesses, she said. Officials also are working on a rubric of the skills employers need to make sure Central Nine is teaching those to its students, she said.
Otte taught engineering and technology in Columbus for 10 years before coming to Central Nine. As director, she will lead a staff of about 50 teachers and other staff and earn a salary of $105,000. She also will oversee programs the school contracts, such as cosmetology, aviation and fire and emergency medical services.
