Superintendent discusses education at Chamber luncheon
Published 3:44 pm Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Businesspeople might sometimes think that the county’s education system has little to do with their efforts.
Superintendent of Education Tommy Glasscock tried to change that line of thinking with a presentation Tuesday at a Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Glasscock placed information on tables at the Clanton First United Methodist Church Helen Parrish Activity Center prior to the beginning of the luncheon.
Talking education: Tommy Glasscock (center) was the guest speaker Tuesday at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He is pictured with Janice Hull (left) and Van Forrester (right) with the Chamber, and Glasscock’s granddaughter Elizabeth Eason, who holds some of the mock money Glasscock used to make a point during his presentation. (Photo by Stephen Dawkins)
According to the information, while Chilton County’s 85 percent graduation rate is comparable to the 85.7 percent graduation rate in Region 4 (Chilton, Shelby, Blount, Jefferson, Walker and St. Clair counties), the 12.5 percent of the population in Chilton that has completed a bachelor’s or higher degree is far below the region’s 27.4 percent.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Glasscock said.
Glasscock highlighted the plan for his administration to increase rigor and enhance technology and also touched on initiatives such as distributing Google Chromebooks to schools and implementing web-based COMPASS Learning.
“Parents say, ‘I’m getting an education along with my child,'” he said about the program.
Also on the tables where attendees sat were mock $100 bills. Glasscock then proceeded to “auction off” a peach-themed bracelet from MorLyn’s, with some people scrambling to “borrow” money from their neighbors to win the bid.
Glasscock said the lesson was that people have to work together to accomplish something meaningful.
“If we combine our resources and invest it in something important, we can make a difference,” he said.
Glasscock was introduced by Chamber Board of Directors President Van Forrester, who later presented the guest speaker with a gift.
Brian Jones gave the invocation, and Lynsie Glasscock with the Chamber welcomed those in attendance.
Kevin George talked about the success of the annual En Fuego Christian music festival, which was held Aug. 29, and thanked those who helped with the effort.
Guests and new members were recognized, and door prizes were handed out.
The next Chamber luncheon will be Oct. 6 with guest speaker Billy Singleton of the Chilton County Airport Authority.
