It’s taken months, but a former Lake Orion School District employee finally received some answers about a proposed career center satellite office in the CERC building.
Gloria Smith, who was the district’s career coordinator, made an appearance at a school board meeting in April. She questioned why a Job Link Career Center satellite office still stands empty after Oakland Schools awarded the district last November $198,000 to reimburse costs to set up and operate the office.
She told board members she had attended an Oakland School Board of Education meeting on April 27 and said the board was led to believe the center was operating.
‘You’re getting the money, but not giving the services,? Smith added. ‘I’m demanding accountability.?
At that Lake Orion board meeting, LO School Superintendent Dr. Craig Younkman said he was aware of some personal issues with the center, but that he was satisfied with the content of the agreement with Job Link.
According to Younkman, the district is reimbursed for money that it spends on the center.
Roland Hill, Director of the Job Link Center, came to the school board meeting on May 12. He said he wanted to have the career center open right away, but there has been some delays.
‘We’re committed to a long-term relationship,? he added. ‘I apologize for not opening in a timely manner.?
In response to Smith’s appearance at the Oakland Schools board meeting, county officials found out that the delay of opening the satellite office was due to slow renovations at the site. The start of the renovation of the office space couldn’t take place until belongings of former staff members was removed.
The process to bring the satellite office to Lake Orion has been ongoing for about a year. Job Link assists eligible people by offering one-stop programs, workshops, networking of job seekers and employers.
Bert Quinn, Lake Orion School District’s Director of Career Focused Education/Employment and Training, said Lake Orion has been underserved lately in with job seeking help.
‘There was a need to partner together. The agreement is bringing dollars back into the school district,? he said.
Job Link services the greater Pontiac area, including Lake Orion.
Quinn said his staff has been rotating between Lake Orion and the Pontiac office.
Both Quinn and Hill have indicated invoicing will be clearer, to explain exactly what has been paid for.
Smith provided The Review with an invoice dated March 2 from the school district to Job Link for $28,285.
Quinn described the agreement as ‘performance based.? ‘We have to perform in order to get reimbursed. If it wasn’t acceptable, we wouldn’t have been paid.?
Smith has also wondered why Lake Orion’s contract for the Summer Youth Program with Oakland Schools had increased from $45,000 to $85,000 when no one seems to know much about the program in the community.
Quinn said he hopes to provide 25-40 jobs for youth in the Lake Orion area. He said there’s a limited number of opportunities for qualified kids ages 14-21. For more information, call him at 248-693-5420, ext. 6093.
According to Smith, whose job was eliminated because grant monies were taken away, she just wants closure to the situation and wants the career office open.
‘There’s lots of politics in place between Job Link and the schools. I just want to focus on what’s best for the kids. I did what ever needed to be done,? she said.
Her goal was to make sure the community saw what should have been happening with the career center, but wasn’t.
‘I wonder if it ever would have opened if I hadn’t stepped in,? Smith said.