Untitled Document

4community Education Roundtable Review

Fifty-four people attended the second 4community Roundtable held on July 13, 2006 at the Decatur Room of Adams Memorial Hospital. These represented the educational leadership of Adams County.

Wes Kuntzman, coordinator of the 4community project welcomed the group and gave a brief overview of the project. He then introduced Daryl Yost of the Innovation Center who spoke for the first 45 minutes about trends in education.

We need stronger emphasis on the expectations of education – an attitude of excellence.
Education needs to be more experienced based. This might be accomplished by a cycle of school one semester and work the next semester.
There needs to be more “cross-training” to allow people to experience other types of work.
More emphasis on human development to increase preparation for the job market.

Following Dr. Yost’s presentation and a brief break at panel was convened for a discussion on educational issues. The panel was composed of:

Jim Compton – Superintendent North Adams Schools

Cathy Egolf - Superintendent South Adams Schools

Steve Bailey - Adams Central School Board –President Decatur Bank

Dr. Mark Keen – Chancellor –Ivy Tech

Judy Emshwiller – Area 18Vocational Director

Observations:

Because of technology, it is possible to get a four-year college degree and never leave home.

There is a major disconnect between people and job opportunities. We need to educate to careers.

Vocational education – Adams County has a very good vocational program.

Vocational education allows students to explore different career tracks.

Education is an evolutionary and revolutionary process – in the future each student may have an IEP.

70% of educational failures are due to home and community reasons.

Employers are looking for flexibility, basic skills, and work ethic. Advanced skills are learned on the job.

There is a dramatic need for adult education.

Goals:

Increased emphasis on the value of education.

Increase cooperation between the three school districts.

Offering needed classes at one of the three schools.

Sharing staff in low population subjects.

Offer adult continuing education (computer skills etc.)

Increase the availability of higher education in Adams County.

Increase opportunities for local adult education and job retraining.

The Education Roundtable Attendance

Dr. Daryl Yost-Innovation Center

Jim Compton-North Adams Community Schools

Cathy Egolf-South Adams Community Schools

Steve Bailey-Adams Central Community Schools

Judy Emshwiller-18 Area Vocational

Dr. Mark Kean-Ivy Tech

Kelly Ehinger, Decatur Public Library

Janet Macklin-United Way of Adams County

Barbara Engle-Decatur City Council

Larry Macklin-Decatur Chamber of Commerce

Josette Rider-Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Sarah Wellman-Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Ronda Cowans-Leadership Academy

Paul Zurcher-Zurcher Tire

Adrian Richie-North Adams Community Schools

Connie Richie-North Adams Community Schools

Jeannie Smith-North Adams Community Schools

Darlene Zeitvogel-United Way of Adams County

Julie Reef

Kay Frey

Karen Voshell

Brian Laurent

Lynn Selking

Brent Lehman-South Adams Community Schools

Mark Settlemyre

Linda Settlemyre

John Schultz-Decatur City Council

Fred Isch-Mayor of Decatur

Maureen Miller-Adams Memorial Hospital

Katie Myers-Leadership Academy

JoEllen Eidam-Adams Memorial Hospital

Cheri Scherry-Taylor University

Randy Roe

Doug Bauman-Adams County Commissioner

Sylvia Lawson

Bill Borne-Adams County Auditor

Tim Hartigan

Carol Cummings

Rosie Puterbaugh

Jeni Linge( not sure how to spell this last name)

Elsie Canales-North Adams School Board

Estella Canales

Robert Frey

Al Lehman

Bob Adams-Berne Tri-Weekly

Cathy Mosley –Boys and Girls Club

Andy Barrett-Leadership Academy Director

Greg Kitson-Leadership Academy

Eric Mann-Decatur Daily Democrat

Wylie Sirk-Leadership Academy/Southeast Elementary Principal

Michael Secaur-Leadership Academy

Arlene Kuntzman – Bishop Dwenger High School