Construction Careers Academy

Members of San Antonio construction community have established a special fund to honor Jim Martin, soon-to-be retired Assistant Superintendent for Facilities & Operations at Northside ISD.

The Jim Martin Honorarium Construction Careers Academy Designated Fund has been set up through the Northside Education Foundation. The goal is to raise $100,000 to $200,000 to endow grants to Construction Careers Academy and to fund supplies and projects at the new magnet school, which will begin offering classes in 2009.

The fund "honors the man in charge of building at NISD who has earned the respect of the architects, contractors, and subcontractors, for his integrity and fairness for over 17 years on the job," said David Waddell, a partner with Padgett Stratemann, who first suggested establishing the fund. "We are also the professionals who will hire Construction Careers Academy graduates, whether they immediately apply for jobs or go on to seek college degrees in construction and engineering-related fields."

Other organizations involved in the establishment of the Martin fund include the San Antonio Chapters of Associated General Contractors, American Subcontractors Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors.

Martin, a professional engineer, will retire from Northside ISD this month after more than 30 years in public school district maintenance and construction. He was hired at Northside in 1991 and during his tenure oversaw the construction of 46 new schools as well as renovations and expansions throughout the District.

Construction Careers Academy will begin offering classes to students at Warren High School in August 2009. In 2010, a 38,000-square-foot facility on the Warren campus will be completed. The academy will prepare students for employment in the construction industry and for college by providing the necessary skills to enter general contracting and related industries.

"These grants provided by the construction community will greatly enhance the opportunities for students at CCA to aspire to become exemplary leaders in their profession because of the example set by Jim Martin," said Patricia Hill, Principal of Warren High School.

Tax-exempt charitable donations can be made by check to the Northside Education Foundation and mailed to 6632 Bandera Road, Bldg. A, San Antonio, Texas, 78238.
Credit cards also are accepted by calling (210) 397-8599.