A group of 20+ teenage students standing in the lobby of the Tech School holding a banner with text that reads: Drive On Time Driving School 443-944-5288 and the Rural MD Council and Tri County Council of the LES logos

WESTOVER, MD, April 12, 2023 – Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) in partnership with Drive On Time, a privately-owned driving school in Princess Anne, MD, recently facilitated three sessions of the state-required driver’s education course for the system’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) students. The program was funded through a grant by the Rural Maryland Council and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland; providing 80 students enrolled in CTE programming with free access to the required driver’s education course for obtaining a driver’s license in the State of Maryland. Enrollment reached full capacity within one day of advertising to CTE students and families, on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Somerset County Technical High School Principal and facilitator of the Driver’s Education program, Mrs. Cortney Monar shared, “Realizing our opportunity to alleviate local labor shortages while making driver’s education more available to our students originated in a faculty meeting. Staff identified that many students do not have a driver’s license, challenging instructors to connect students to employers for work opportunities, internships and apprenticeships that will further their career development.” 

Additionally, Monar coordinated with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to administer the Maryland Learner’s Permit test to students on-site at Somerset County Technical High School over two sessions administered this spring. Plans are underway to provide the same opportunities to CTE students next school year. 

 The first class of Somerset County Technical High School (SCTHS) students to complete the Driver’s Education course through Drive On Time driver’s school in Princess Anne, MD pose for a group photo after a classroom session. The program was funded through a grant by the Rural Maryland Council and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.