Our Views: Workers need basic skills
 |
| Advocate Columnists |
 |
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
The future of the work force in the Baton Rouge region is dependent on many factors, but one absolutely critical component is better public schools.
A business owner told the School Board she was dismayed to learn how many workers lack basic skills. “If the electricity goes off, I have to teach them how to use a calculator and compute sales tax,” said Diane Stacy.
She is not alone. She was among a number of business people who told the board of their concerns and hopes that the board will choose a dynamic new leader for the East Baton Rouge system.
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber held its board meeting at Woodlawn High School so that members could address a public hearing conducted by the School Board on qualities needed in a new superintendent to succeed Charlotte Placide, who is retiring.
The input of BRAC’s board members is valuable. As business leaders, they know the need for qualified and reliable employees, those who can read, write and compute. Whether the BRAC board members are parents or grandparents of public school students or not, their appearance at the Woodlawn hearing underlines the importance of public education.
Not all the problems of public education can be laid at the door of the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. A chamber study has argued that not one of the local public systems is a worldbeater. The fact is that Baton Rouge as a region will find it difficult to grow in the future without better-prepared students leaving schools. Every system has to improve, but the Baton Rouge system is the largest in the region, faces many challenges today and needs top-quality leadership.
This is an issue of communitywide interest and impact, but also regional impact. The School Board, involved with its own challenges within the system, can approach the superintendent search as an internal issue. But we believe the work-force preparedness concerns affect the economic and social future of the parish and the region of which it is the hub.
A business owner told the School Board she was dismayed to learn how many workers lack basic skills. “If the electricity goes off, I have to teach them how to use a calculator and compute sales tax,” said Diane Stacy.
She is not alone. She was among a number of business people who told the board of their concerns and hopes that the board will choose a dynamic new leader for the East Baton Rouge system.
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber held its board meeting at Woodlawn High School so that members could address a public hearing conducted by the School Board on qualities needed in a new superintendent to succeed Charlotte Placide, who is retiring.
The input of BRAC’s board members is valuable. As business leaders, they know the need for qualified and reliable employees, those who can read, write and compute. Whether the BRAC board members are parents or grandparents of public school students or not, their appearance at the Woodlawn hearing underlines the importance of public education.
Not all the problems of public education can be laid at the door of the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. A chamber study has argued that not one of the local public systems is a worldbeater. The fact is that Baton Rouge as a region will find it difficult to grow in the future without better-prepared students leaving schools. Every system has to improve, but the Baton Rouge system is the largest in the region, faces many challenges today and needs top-quality leadership.
This is an issue of communitywide interest and impact, but also regional impact. The School Board, involved with its own challenges within the system, can approach the superintendent search as an internal issue. But we believe the work-force preparedness concerns affect the economic and social future of the parish and the region of which it is the hub.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
