RaChelle Parks presented with Ruritan scholarship

“In 2013, employers were hiring people to fill many jobs that weren’t in existence in 2006.” said Warner Ross, Director of Hardeman County Schools. “As educators, we are preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet and we don’t have a blueprint.”
Ross was addressing the Grand Junction Ruritan Club. His was totally different from the normal, routine, stand up and make a speech presentation. Several club members were given numbered slips of paper containing statistics and facts about the county school system. After the member read their slip, Ross would explain the statistic/fact and its impact on the system and ultimately, the students.
There are approximately 350 teachers in the system attended by over 4,200 students. One of the director’s goals is, whenever possible, to employ teachers who are Hardeman County residents. Last year, 65 percent of the new hires met that criteria. This rationale is in line with the goals of several organizations, such as the NAACP. These organizations are working hard to show students and young citizens there are many and varied career opportunities available within the county.  
There are 12 counties in the Southwest District. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, Hardeman County high schools’ “End of Course Gains” were 7.8 percent average in all areas. This is first place in the district and places the county far ahead of the S.W.CORE  average gains of 1.6 percent. In the Elementary TCAP Gains, Hardeman ranked second with 1.6 percent “Average in All Areas”. The Core average was -0.3 percent.
“We are striving for slow but steady improvement,” said Ross.
He presented many other facts/statistics. One example, older citizens find it hard to believe most 30 year olds today have held 10 to 14 different jobs.

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