Midland Innovation & Technology Charter School Holds Open House For Dignitaries Of Beaver County

The façade of the Charles J. Betters Innovation Center, which will house classes for the new Midland Innovation and Technology Charter School.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“We’re going to get kids to be job-ready, and ready to take the next step in education.”

Longtime Lincoln Park executive director for development Chris Shovlin spoke those words in regards to the Midland Innovation & Technology Charter School, which will open its doors for classes on September 6. However, on July 18 they held a tour of the building for local dignitaries and leaders, showcasing the new building on 12th Street in Midland next to the Valmont plant.

Chris Shovlin (with microphone) spoke about how the MITCS would help return jobs to the borough of Midland.

Shovlin, himself a Midland native, acknowledged the evolution of that area of the borough and education in the borough. “Everybody who wanted a job had a job until 1982, when the bottom fell out,” he stated–referring to the steel industry being the center of Midland’s solar system throughout the middle of the century. A reupholstering of Midland’s central values began in the early 2000s, when “no other school district wanted to merge with Midland,” the emergence of new schools began popping up with PA Cyber Charter in 2000 and the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in 2006. “Midland knows how to educate kids in a modern manner,” Shovlin added.

A look from inside one of the new classrooms at MITCS, across from the Whemco plant that aesthetically contrasts the futuristic vision of the brand new charter school.

The modernism of the MITCS has allowed for many different assistants to come on as helpers for the school’s curriculum, including Dr. Cyril Wecht for the forensics department, PGT Trucking for the transportation department, and several more. The MITCS will also offer classes in music, culinary arts, e-sports, and many different trades whilst having the ability to earn college credits while in the K-12 stage of education.

“I truly believe that this will be most impactful for students in our region,” spoke Sean Tanner, the superintendent of Midland Public Schools. Tanner noted that those who go to school at the MITCS will be able to take “readily available” jobs within the area to improve the economy of places like Beaver County. “We have done a poor job in public education to be where we need to be, to where jobs are.”

Those who want further information about the MITCS can visit their website at mitcharterschool.org.