Morgan schools’ Rural Development Park to open in August
For the Enquirer
The Morgan County Schools Rural Development Park is set to open in August, offering juniors and seniors expanded opportunities to pursue new health science and manufacturing courses, according to Superintendent Tracie Turrentine.
Brewer High Assistant Principal Brooke Hudson will begin her new role this fall as principal of Rural Development Park. Hudson, Turrentine and Career Technical Director Jeremy Childers visited all five high schools in the Morgan County district last week to speak with upperclassmen about the new trade school.
“I’ve had students specifically ask about medical lab assistant, and I’ve had a lot of students ask about programs coming next fall,” Hudson said. “I’ve had a lot of interest and I’ve had students ask about machining as well and what the programs will look like each day. They are excited to get new program offerings in Morgan County.” Students can pursue the following courses at Rural Development Park: emergency medical technician, fire fighting I, medical lab assistant, nursing support technician, certified nursing assistant, physical therapist aide, surgical tech-sterile processor, and aerospace and precision machining. Practical nurse and dental assistant programs will be added in the fall of 2026.
Rural Development Park is housed in the former Sparkman Elementary building at 72 Plainview St. near Hartselle.
The new facility is a partnership with Calhoun Community College that offers dual enrollment courses. Students can graduate high school with a short-term certificate from the program, preparing them to enter the workforce immediately. Short-term certificates are also achievable through the 17 existing programs at the Morgan County Schools Career Technology Park, located on the campus of Brewer High School.
Hudson explained that after students earn their short-term certificate, they can also use it as a foundation to pursue an associate’s degree at a community college.
Within five years, Hudson said she hopes to see even more courses added to Rural Development Park to provide more opportunities for students to enter the workforce early.
“We want students to find a career path they are excited about, hopefully sooner, so that when they do graduate high school, they can jump into whatever their career path is,” Hudson said. “They’ve already got the tools, credentials, and certificates in order to be successful in that field.” Turrentine said the district aims to become Alabama’s largest career tech nical system, and Hudson noted that the Tennessee Val ley’s growing indus trial presence offers a great opportunity for them to prepare Mor gan County students for stable, lucrative careers in their hometown.
“Career tech is a growing field, not only in our area, but across the nation,” Hudson said. “After working the last six years at Brewer High School and seeing what those programs do, I’m just passionate about what the opportunities are for (Rural Development Park) and the students who choose to go there.” The application period for enrollment in Rural Development Park opened Friday morning and will close Feb. 14.
Hudson said Calhoun Community College is still in the process of hiring instructors for Rural Development Park, with bids pending for course equipment.
