River View recommits to driver's education

WARSAW − Addressing a major barrier to student employment is the goal of a new driver's education program at River View Local Schools and other districts.

Earlier this year, Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center and Ohio Valley Educational Service Center combined to develop and implement a driver's education program approved by the Ohio Department of Public Safety. There are 14 school districts involved in Coshocton, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Washington counties. The program consists of 24 hours of online instruction the students can do at their pace and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training.

Richard Hall is one of the administrators of the program and was formerly the superintendent for Mid-East Career and Technology Centers in Zanesville. He noticed students weren't taking advantage of internships and other employment opportunities. When asked why, Hall said the number one reason cited was they didn't have a driver's license so they could get to jobs or to take college classes.

"We view a driver's license as a gateway to opportunity. It all starts with a driver's license," Hall said. "A lot of us think a driver's license for a student is automatic, but that's not the case. If you look at the labor statistics of why students and even some adults can't get to work, it's the lack of a valid driver's license."

Driver's education used to be common in high school, but that's faded. Hall said they're basically going back to the model common more than 25 years ago.

"We have nothing against the private institutions that do driver's education. We just feel with it being educationally based and our instructors and our folks administering the program are trusted members of the community, it's convenient for kids, it's affordable for kids; students and families are going to take advantage of this," he said. "It's not just about a driver's license for us. It's about a student who's safe behind the wheel and creating that opportunity for them to go out and take the next steps in their educational process. We're putting driver's education back into education and making it educationally based."

Sophomores Logan and Ally Fischer were the first students to go through the program at River View. Ally said they trust the school and figured it was a good way to obtain their licenses. Both felt ready to take the driving test after completing the curriculum.

"They're really good to make sure we understand everything and not just going through the motions," Ally said.

"The instructors and the in-class lessons make it really clear what you really need to know. I think that helps a lot for kids just starting out," Logan added.

The vehicle at River View is a 2018 Ford Focus donated by Jeff Drennen Dealerships. Superintendent Chuck Rinkes said while the consortium had purchased cars for the program, River View just didn't have the money for one. He talked with the dealership about assisting.

Additionally, Rinkes said Coshocton County Job and Family Services is offering tuition assistance to those who are financially eligible. Cost is $350 per student.

"This is a service to our community. When I came here 27 year ago, we had driver's education in the school. I took driver's education at my high school," Rinkes said.

Hall said they are currently training 22 instructors. The training program is 60 hours. Earl Donaker and Thom Lesieski are in the training process now.

Donaker has three grandchildren with the youngest recently graduating high school. All three went to Newark High School. He saw the issues they had getting their licenses and wanted to help others now that he's retired.

"It was a nightmare for them to get their driver's license. It was a hassle between their school schedules, the driving school schedules and the private companies seeming to be overloaded," Donaker said.

For more information on the program or becoming a driving instructor, go to mvesc.org or call 740-452-4518.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: River View recommits to driver's education