OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A couple of dozen students returning to Olmsted Falls High School this fall are enrolled in the district’s inaugural cyber security class.
“We’re always looking for ways to provide unique opportunities for students,” Olmsted Falls City School District Superintendent Jim Lloyd said.
“That includes being able to pair up those with industry credentials and job availability for a field that’s in high demand.”
The superintendent said he was surprised to learn this year alone there are projected to be roughly 3.5 million cyber security jobs, with 15,000 in Ohio.
“This is pretty mind-blowing — an entry-level position for cyber security with no degree required or an associate’s degree pays out $60,000 to $90,000 a year,” he said.
“Those are salary figures that really speak to people. You can make a fine living off of that.”
After a survey last year revealed student interest in a cyber security class, the district identified vendor Paradigm Cyber Ventures, with deciding factors being flexibility and cost.
The initial cost of the Paradigm Cyber Ventures program is $24,500, which includes $15,000 for curriculum and $9,500 for teacher training.
The following two years of classroom instruction costs are $15,000 annually for curriculum.
“We’re looking for business partnerships and sponsorships to help support the program,” he said.
After recently completing training, Olmsted Falls High School math teacher Jeff Van Arnhem will lead the class with the school also creating an advisory board.
“We posted something on LinkedIn and reached out to number of people,” Lloyd said. “There are two gentlemen who live with our community; one is head of cyber security for NASA Glenn and another owns a cyber security company in our area.
“They’re going to help us get speakers and provide field experiences. We’re excited about that.”
The yearlong cyber security class has three sections perfect for sophomores to proceed through graduation.
“Ideally, they graduate in their senior year and maybe go on to work in the cyber security field,” he said.
“This could be a difference maker in the lives of kids and families.”
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