A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News January 26, 2006 - Education highlight of leadership session By: Paula Golke, for Daily Tribune Editor's note: The Daily Tribune will regularly run columns updating Community Progress Initiative activities and the work of its groups in local communities. "Building a strong and positive community" is a large part of the Community Progress Initiative, and the annual Community Leadership Program gives its participants practice in skills to better understand themselves, their community and their personal roles as leaders. The Leadership Program introduces participants to community and business leaders and resources, creating a network of new leaders to serve as catalysts for positive change. Each month, Leadership Class members attend a full-day session focused on one area of our community. Last month, the focus was on education from kindergarten through adult learning. Held at Mid-State Technical College's Wisconsin Rapids campus, the session involved a review of what issues are facing education today, such as budgets, school closings, credit transfers between the UW and technical college systems, school vouchers and charter schools. Dean Ryerson, superintendent of the Wisconsin Rapids Public School District, gave us the history of formal education changes, from one-room school houses to the system we see today, and how certain political issues such as Brown v. Board of Education in Topeka, Kan., prayer in schools and No Child Left Behind shape our educational systems. Considering that the United States shifted from 250,000 school districts in 1930 to 93,000 districts today, we can see that technology such as the invention of transportation has a tremendous effect on our educational and social systems. Some of the current issues discussed were the changing demographics concerning the homeless, and the correlation between economic status and school success. We also discussed funding issues facing the state and school systems, and the attempts to make seamless transitions for students from grade school to middle school to high school. Our leadership group also had an opportunity to tour three areas at MSTC. We learned about the Urban Forestry program, a nationally recognized program that we have right in our own backyard. In the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program, we were pleasantly surprised to see the hands-on opportunity students have and the amount of computerization that is involved. The third program we toured was MSTC's top-notch Law Enforcement program. The presenters were very passionate about their area of expertise. We wrapped up the day with governance, leadership and decision making through the use of role-play led by Ryerson. A special thank you to our day chairs, Ryerson and Sue Budjac, for creating a memorable experience. For more information about the Community Leadership Program, please call Jill Cavanaugh at Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance, 422-4860. Paula Golke of Paper City Savings is a participant in the Community Leadership Program.
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