How Can Our Town Help You & Your Children?

While attending the Highlands Initiative Meeting in Cookeville April 9, 2013, I heard a brief presentation by Kevin, Huffman, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education.

He praised some of the programs being sponsored by local business to assist parents and families by directly impacting their education and training.

Mr. Huffman stated what most of us already know: We can not raise the educational and skills levels in classrooms alone. We need the schools, local businesses and the communities to partner together.

Considering the positive business environment and the culture of our state, many business would like to move to Tennessee. What holds some back is a concern about finding a suitable workforce with a suitable level of education and "skill set"to allow the company to be successful.

I understand that Tennessee students have made great progress over the last couple of years, but let's be frank... we still have a long way to go. We are somewhere near the bottom of the rankings compared with other states.

It is not a time to whine about limited opportunities or what should have happened in the past. It is not time to be focusing on what someone else should be doing. It is time for you to step up and take responsibility. It is time for me to step up as well.

What I hope you, as citizens of Gainesboro, will tell me is what the town can do to help.

I'm looking forward to your responses.

While you are at it, go ahead and subscribe to these posts by email. The link is on the page. That way you can stay involved in this discussion.

Like the Commissioner said: "High Standards Are Right For Our Children." The real truth is:

High Standards Are Right For Each Of Us!