The Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation should be applauded for its decision to provide seed money for an adult education program in Logansport.
At a meeting last week, the foundation’s board of directors unanimously agreed to use funds from LEDF’s “Opportunity Fund” to start a year-round GED program no later than Sept. 20. Officials believe the nearly $27,000 in that fund will be enough to keep the program afloat for about three months until the organization wins reimbursement through Workforce Development Region 4’s Regional Educational Alliance for Learning, or 4REAL. Funding for the program will ultimately come from the federal Title II program. LEDF has already lined up nearly $82,000 to run the program, and Skip Kuker, the foundation’s president, says more funding is available.
The school will be housed along with the Logansport campus of Trine University and an alternative program for high school dropouts in the city-owned Eastgate Plaza shopping center that was oncehome to the local campus of Ivy Tech Community College. Plans call for the adult education program to use 2,300 square feet of space in exchange for rent of $250 a month. Obviously, that’s below market, but the price reflects the city’s commitment to making this program work.
To understand why adult education is such a priority, all you have to do is check the statistics: Eighteen percent of Cass County residents 25 or older lack a high school diploma or GED. That equates to about 4,800 people, or 10 percent of the county’s total population. More than 1,200 county residents have less than a ninth grade education.
Efforts to address that need took a hit last spring when Logansport Community Schools revealed plans to shut down the program at Landmark Adult Learning Center, but even before that announcement came, LEDF had announced that raising the local education level would be among its priorities.
To its credit, the organization has followed through on that promise, and it has put together a program we hope will help the community in turning out a better educated work force. We congratulate those who have had a hand in putting this effort together, and we wish them well in the endeavor.
Opinion
Striving for an educated work force
- Opinion
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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A positive step for public schools
Indiana is one of 10 states granted waivers last week from provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The waiver appears to be a step forward for schools across the state.
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An outstanding community effort
United Way of Cass County announced this week that it had raised more than $600,000 in its most recent campaign. The campaign’s success is a testament to the generosity of local residents and to the great work of the United Way and its member agencies.
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Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E.
Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number. -
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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Another step forward for local trails
Local officials broke ground this week on the planned Eel River Run from downtown to Riverside Park. The project will expand a trail system of which the community can be proud.
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White should not return to office
The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state on charges of voter fraud has left Republicans and Democrats fighting over who will hold the office. No matter how the fight comes out, Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Even in names, Eli beats Peyton
Columnist Dave Kitchell looks at the names of Cass County's babies in 2011 - and the effect they may have had on the Super Bowl.
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Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.
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A grand success for Indianapolis
The just-ended Super Bowl was the result of decades of preparation. Indianapolis left a great impression on the thousands of visitors who descended on the city.
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