By Barry Burleson, Holly Springs Communications/Public Relations Director, and the Holly Springs School District.
The Holly Springs School District and its partners are joining efforts to create a future-ready, learner-centered system that will empower students to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Facilitators from the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) and community partners from the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority and Accelerate Mississippi joined district administrators for a one-and-a-half day workshop focused on moving to the next level when it comes to career readiness.
“This is about our children and their future – their opportunities,” said Dr. Irene Walton Turnage, superintendent of education. “Outside partners and their knowledge and support are important in helping us move forward. We all want the same thing, for our children to be ready for careers and build a good future for themselves and their families. The end goal is to develop our portrait of a graduate. We want to continue to do great things as a district.”
Facilitators Dr. Susan Rucker and Dr. Cederick Ellis developed a Discovery Analysis by visiting with some teachers, students, community leaders, and business and industry representatives prior to the workshop.
Rucker said NCEE will be with the Holly Springs School District through the entire process of building a portrait of a graduate and a future-ready, learner-centered system.
“The world has changed for our students,” she said. “We have to get on the bandwagon.”
Ellis said the partnership will help develop a shared vision of where the district is going.
“The leadership and the core pieces are here,” he said. “We just want to co-design with you. We want a coherent system. We are here to be a bridge between the schools and business/industry. We will help in the development of future-ready students. The timing is right for this to happen.”
Justin Hall, executive director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, said there are job opportunities in the county right now.
“These are high-demand positions,” he said, “that can be filled by high school graduates on the right path.”
In addition, a new battery plant, with 2,000 jobs, is coming to Marshall County. The average annual salary will be $66,000.
“These are generational opportunities for our high school students – high-paying jobs,” Hall said. “A lot of eyes are on us across the state because of our economic opportunities.”
Forrest Bryan, with Accelerate MS, said it’s all about vision and opportunities. He said it would likely include adding new programs at the Career and Technical Center.
“I’m here to help you prepare our kids for these advanced job opportunities,” he said. “They can do these things. We have to prepare them. The community needs to be invested. Together, we can change the narrative of your community.”
Christy Owens, project manager with the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, said the IDA wants to continue the great partnership it has had with the district by helping connect students with industry, which includes setting up tours.
“We want to do our part to propel this forward,” she said. “Failure is not an option.”
Dr. Turnage said the district is ready to make it happen.
“It’s all coming together,” she said. “We appreciate our partners who are here to help us. We all want our students to be successful.”
Lemon Phelps, president of the Holly Springs School District Board of Trustees, said, “I think this partnership will give everyone a chance to have their say in what a graduate from Holly Springs should look like, not only now but also into the future, and also it will help us in working toward that said ‘portrait.’”
