Published: September 05, 2009 01:40 am      

Education primary focus at chamber luncheon

GREENVILLE — Education was the primary focus at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce quarterly membership luncheon Friday afternoon at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center.

The event was sponsored by Keep Greenville Beautiful.

Featured speakers were Dr. Dan Jones, president of Texas A&M University-Commerce; John Spradling, director of the Paris Junior College Greenville Center; Dr. Graham Sweeney, superintendent of Boles IIndependent School District; Don Jefferies, superintendent of Greenville ISD; Norma Morris, the head of Lakeland Academy; Julie Robinson, the headmaster of Greenville Christian School; and Vicki Glasscock, the director of Phoenix Charter School.

“It is an exciting time at Texas A&M University-Commerce,” said Jones, referencing new facility construction on campus. Jones added that in the past 10 years, more than $130 million has been spent on construction projects at the university.

Spradling informed those in attendance that the PJC Greenville Center has seen a growth in enrollment and said much of the growth could be attributed to the wide variety of classes offered at the campus, including dual credit courses.

Sweeney said the “Recognized” rating assigned to Boles ISD by the Texas Education Agency is indicative of a dedicated student body and teaching staff. He added that last year a student graduated with his associate’s degree a few weeks before he graduated from high school due to dual credit courses.

Greenville ISD has reason to celebrate due to an “Academically Acceptable” rating assigned by the TEA and expanded programs, according to Jefferies.

“We are serving the community’s children and that is a heavy responsibility,” said Jefferies. In addition to the positive TEA ratings, Jefferies also cited the award-winning choral music and band programs, expanded Suzuki Strings program, expanded dual credit courses, expanded robotics program and the expansion of other programs as developments that are beneficial to both students and the community.

Lakeland Academy is placing a heavy emphasis on technology, according to Morris. “We are all about exponential education,” said Morris, following a video presentation regarding the exponential development of technology.

Robinson cited a curriculum based on community involvement and three state football championships in the past five years as proof that GCS students have been provided an opportunity to maximize their potential. “When one of our schools is successful, it benefits the entire community,” said Robinson, referencing the partnership between all local school districts.

Progress made at Phoenix Charter School includes an “Academically Acceptable” rating assigned by the TEA, an emphasis on fine arts for every student, and a low 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio, according to Glasscock. She also added that the 470 students are enrolled at the campus and the school has more than 100 employees and a $5 million budget.