August 2019: Update on Richland School District One & Richland School District Two.
Guest Speakers: Chairman Jamie L. Devine, Richland School District One, and Chairman James Manning, Richland School District Two
Summary:
The Chamber's August Issues Forum featured the chairmen of the board for Richland School Districts One and Two discussing key opportunities and challenges for the upcoming school year and the future of education. Both districts discussed issues surrounding teacher salaries, student teacher ratio, budgets, taxes, consolidation, growth, and developing the workforce of the future. Both leaders also highlighted innovative programs being used to further the opportunities of students through apprenticeship programs and local partnerships.
Throughout the year, you can expect the Columbia Chamber to:
- Support the efforts of both local school districts and maintain close working relationship with the leaders in both Richland School District One and Richland School District Two
- Expand the MYA (Midlands Youth Apprenticeship) to include more Partners and students
- Continue to work with local and state government to revamp the tax system to alleviate funding burdens on business