Educators Deliver Encouraging Message at Kickoff

Effingham County is working to expand educational offerings at a time when other parts of the state are cutting back.

The educators who spoke at Wednesday morning's Kickoff to Education gathering said it's due to the co-operative and collaborative attitude taken by school officials and the business and civic community in the county.

Effingham Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan and Altamont Unit 10 Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch were among the speakers, along with Effingham Catholic Schools Superintendent Father Chris Brey, Lake Land College President Josh Bullock and Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman.

Doan and Fritchtnitch highlighted past and future initiatives including Health Occupations class, CEO class, Welding class , Construction Trades class, Manufacturing Day, Eastern Illinois Area Special Education, School Resource Officers and the Regional Office of Education as indicators that working together has provided and will continue to provide benefits to the Effingham County community.

(ALTAMONT UNIT 10 SUPERINTENDENT JEFF FRITCHTNITCH)

Father Brey reminded that half of those in leadership roles nationally have parochial school backgrounds and that St. Anthony and Sacred Heart schools are in the process of getting back to the basics; a quality education undergirded by faith.

Bullock noted that Lake Land has been recognized in the Top 10 in the nation for use of digital technology, in the Top 10 for its Livestock Judging team, and is expanding its dual credit offerings so students can obtain both high school and college credits.

The Lake Land president also discussed the proposed Effingham Regional Career Academy, to be built at the site of the Effingham Lake Land Kluthe Center. Bullock reminded that it's a collaborative effort, "not a Lake Land effort", that promises career and technical training as well as lab space not now available in Effingham. Proponents are waiting on state funding for the $12 million, 36,000 square foot facility.

Glassman, only on the job for a couple of months, said, "You're going to see me a lot in these next few years." He noted that people he's spoken with have remarked that while inroads have been made in Chicago and St. Louis for students, "we've been forgetting our roots, our own region," and pledged to correct that matter. He also noted Eastern's continuing efforts to expand their partnership with Lake Land, and pledged to work to keep our students here. He said, "We can't afford an exodus of our intellectual resources."

(EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DAVID GLASSMAN)

There was a sense of optimism throughout the event at the Keller Convention Center. Glassman told educators present, "The entire nation depends on you". Noting the approaching start of school, Glassman said, "There's nothing better than August, it's the best month."

Doan said it's hoped the kickoff will be an annual event.

CEO architect and State Board of Education member Craig Lindvahl served as emcee for the event.