Superintendents discuss successes, chamber partnership at “State of the Schools” luncheon
A strong and successful student body needs not only a strong school system, but support from community and local businesses. This is one of the points made by superintendents from school districts throughout Shelby County during the July 26 Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
During the luncheon, the chamber hosted a panel that included Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers, Hoover City Schools Assistant Superintendent Ron Dodson, Pelham City Schools Superintendent Scott Coefield and Shelby County Schools Superintendent Randy Fuller.
The superintendents addressed questions on topics ranging from teaching students soft skills and career readiness skills to partnering with local businesses to general updates on their respective school systems.
All superintendents lauded the relationship their school system has with the community, including the chamber itself and the business in their communities.
When Dodson was asked how HCS makes sure teachers are up to date on the needs of local businesses, Dodson gave a simple answer — “We talk to them,” he said.
Businesses are invited to talk with career programs, which are reauthorized every three years. Part of that reauthorization process, he said, is making sure the career programs are up to date with industry standards.
“They look at our curriculum, they look at our classroom resources, they tell us if things are up to date, if they need to be replaced,” Dodson said, noting that some career programs that weren’t meeting “workforce needs” were closed down, and those resources will be reinvested in other programs.
Vickers noted how the chamber helps students through job fairs, keeping schools informed on what employers want and for providing placement in co-op programs — where students will attend school part of the day and then receive credit for work-based learning or internships. Business leaders can also participate in advisory boards, where they give feedback to the schools.
“I think I’ll just say amen,” Dodson said after Vickers’ remarks. “Seriously, advisory boards, that’s a very, very good thing. When our teachers reach out to you, asking you to participate in those, please give those a try. Give that a chance because we really do need those voices of industry with our partners.”
Coefield added that he has worked in three school systems and with three different chambers, and “this chamber does it better than any place I’ve ever seen it.”
Chamber programs — including Keeping it Real, a program for ninth graders that focuses on real-world scenarios; and Communication Matters, a program for 11th graders that focuses on soft skills — help students learn the life skills they need after high school graduation, whether they go on to college or a career.
Coefield said PCS aims to make students ready for life after high school, responsible to enter a job and able to cooperate with others. And if chamber members hope to help meet those goals, they can help schools in ways other than through finances.
“Try to look for every opportunity to network and partner with us at the schools,” Coefield said. “… Our kids need to be exposed to guest speakers, we’re constantly looking for partnerships.”
Bringing together businesses, the chamber and schools also lead to success for Shelby County, Fuller said. He noted that the nine cities in Shelby County were recognized as the “best places to live” in Alabama and that Shelby County has the lowest unemployment rate of all Alabama counties.
“What we’re doing as a school system, as a community, is we’re increasing the social capital, and that’s where you guys can help, is increasing the social capital,” Fuller said. “Showing our students the opportunities out there for them, that they can leave their schools, leave their communities and be successful. That’s something that’s very important for us.”