Studer Community Institute

Studer Community Institute hosts education town hall

April 14, 2015
/ Mollye Barrows
/ education

Education is key to Escambia County's economic success, but according to a recent series of reports by the Studer Community Institute, collaboration among parents, the school district, and the community is needed to overcome serious challenges. That's why the Studer Community Institute and Blab TV will present a live education town hall that will include a panel of the top employers and educators in Escambia County. The town hall aims to engage the community and discuss the major issues identified in the Institute's education report, including the impact poverty has on student, and the importance of workforce readiness and early education. Representatives from the top five employers in Escambia County, plus administrators from the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College met at Blab TV Tuesday morning for a round table discussion. The conversation was taped as they debated the workforce readiness of Escambia's students, what can be done to best prepare them, as well as opportunities to overcome the challenges of poverty and a lack of parental involvement. Here are the round table participants: — Malcolm Thomas, Superintendent Escambia County School District — Debbie Calder, Executive Vice President, Navy Federal Credit Union — Carol Carlan, President, Sacred Heart Foundation — Darlene Stone, Chief Human Resource Officer, Baptist Health Care — Carissa Bergosh, former school board member, School Liaison Officer NAS Pensacola, representing the U.S. Navy — Dr. Martha Saunders, Executive Vice President & Provost University of West Florida — Dr. Ed Meadows, President Pensacola State College Segments of the round table discussion will play a role in defining and keeping the conservation on focus for the upcoming May 5 town hall. We'll host it before a live studio, audience May 5, from 8 - 9 p.m. While we certainly don’t expect the panelists to find the "silver bullet” solution when it comes to education, our goal and hope is to identify some actionable solutions, whether it’s providing more mentors or creating more opportunities for businesses to volunteer within the school system. Join us for this important community discussion May 5 and "Be the Bulb" as the Studer Community Institute brings the issues to light and addresses issues community that move forward.

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Studer Community Institute hosts education town hall

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