Springfield adults who dropped out of high school will soon be able to earn a diploma — for free.
Greene County will be home to one of Missouri's new adult high schools. The others will open in Columbia, Poplar Bluff and St. Louis.
David Kutchback, president and CEO of MERS Goodwill, said the free schools will help individuals over age 21 finish high school, gain job skills and earn certifications in varies fields of work.
“The Goodwill Excel Centers will further our vision of a community where each individual has the opportunity to learn, work and achieve their greatest potential," Kutchback said. "We know the need is there, and we are ready to serve."
Gov. Eric Greitens signed bipartisan legislation last year that would allow a nonprofit to open four adult high schools. There are an estimated 500,000 adults, over age 21, in the state without a high school diploma.
MERS Goodwill announced Jan. 9 that it won the bid and plans to open all four within the next 21 months — St. Louis in October, Poplar Bluff in January 2019, Springfield in September 2019 and Columbia in late 2019.
“We are thrilled to earn the contract from the state of Missouri," Kutchback said.
The centers are expected to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, provide "drop in" child care, and employ certified teachers — in math, English, science and social studies — as well as "life coaches" to help with resume, interviewing and job skills.
No fee will be charged for any of the services, including child care. Flexible classes will be offered to accommodate work schedules.
Kutchback said the nonprofit will request funding each year from the state, starting with $3 million the first year and up to $8 million annually when all four centers are open and serving adults.
For its part, MERS Goodwill is required to invest at least $2 million in infrastructure to create the centers using former schools, office space or warehouses.
"We are already starting to look at potential sites in Springfield," he said.
The Springfield center is expected to be up to 30,000 square feet and serve up to 200 students in the first year. Its capacity may grow, over time, based on demand.
The diplomas earned at the center will be the same as the ones obtained at traditional high schools in Missouri. The length of time needed for completion will vary depending on how many credits are needed.
Anyone interested in applying for one of the centers can call 314-982-8802.
"We are taking names of people right now," Kutchback said.
MERS Goodwill has long provided job skill training to adults in Missouri. Before bidding on the adult high schools, officials with the nonprofit visited adult high schools operated by Goodwill in Indiana.
"The stories we heard about the impact, what getting their high school diploma meant to them — we wanted to bring that back to Missouri," he said.
Kutchback said, on average, individuals without high school diplomas earn $10,000 less a year than their counterparts who have achieved the credential.
He pointed out that over a 40-year career, that's a difference of $400,000. "That makes an impact on that person and an impact on the lives of their family."
Annually, MERS Goodwill serves an average of 60,000 people in 75 locations. Training programs and other assistance is funding through donations and thrift stores.
“We are excited to serve even more people in our region and to strengthen communities in Missouri,” said Darryl Jones, board president of MERS Goodwill, in a news release. “Having a high school diploma can improve an individual’s employment opportunities and future earnings, and it’s exactly what our mission stands for: ‘Changing lives through the power of work.'"
The Springfield school district has worked in recent years to dramatically reduce the number of high school dropouts. The Goodwill Excel Center will serve adults who have aged out of the district.
Springfield Superintendent John Jungmann said the center will be a valuable resource for families.
"We celebrate that adults in Greene County have a new opportunity to embrace education," he said. "We view the achievement of a high school diploma as reaching the starting line for a successful, life-long journey. When children and adults embrace opportunities to learn and grow, the entire community and region benefit."
Jungmann congratulated Goodwill and said the center will make a difference. "We are pleased to know that one of our community partners will provide a new opportunity for adults, as well."