Times-Leader, Princeton, Oct. 28, 2015
Student boost Work Ethic Seal plan approved
Staff report
Caldwell County school board members gave their approval Monday to a program designed to make students, and the community as a whole, more attractive to employers.
The school board approved the adoption of a Work Ethic Seal program for Caldwell County High School graduates.
The program is anticipated to be the final component required to allow Caldwell County to be recognized as a Work Ready community by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board.
Earlier this fall, the community was recognized as a Work Ready Community in Progress, and local officials plan to pursue full Work Ready designation in the next two months.
The committee pursuing the designation is led by Judge/Executive Ellen Dunning, with support from the Lake Barkley Partnership for Economic Development and the Pennyrile Area Development District.
The school district is also a key player, and Superintendent Carrell Boyd said the new program should reap rewards across the community.
“I’m excited about it,” he said Monday. “We’ve been looking for something that might inspire kids looking at career readiness.”
Board members heard details of the program from Gretchen Wetzel, curriculum instruction assessment specialist for the district.
The program, she said, is aimed at creating a solid work ethic in local students, as measured against eight standards.
Positive attitudes, cooperation, honesty and dependability, proper dress and grooming and punctuality are all concepts that will tie in, she added.
A community service component will also be involved.
Students who complete the program will receive a special seal on their diplomas and may be eligible for scholarship opportunities through the local Chamber of Commerce, job interviews, and other incentives.
Wetzel said the program is hoped to be implemented in the 2016-17 school year.
“We’re so excited that the community is excited about this,” she said. “It’s going to be a good partnership.”
Boyd noted that he was working closely with Lyon County School Superintendent Russ Tilford on the program.
“I would like this to be a Caldwell/Lyon initiative,” he told the board.
Further talks are also anticipated with local business and industrial representatives to refine the program’s goals.