School Counts encourages good work ethic
By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
October 20, 2004
Asked what they look for most in employees, local business owners say a good work ethic is just as important as a good education.
Now, local officials have figured out a way to help students and businesses support that goal.
The East Mississippi Business Development Corp., Lauderdale County's chief economic development agency, designed the School Counts program to reward students for hard work by allowing them to be first in line for local jobs.
Duffee Williams, coordinator of the School Counts program, said it was tailored to fit the needs of local businesses.
School Counts encourages high school students in Meridian and Lauderdale County to develop the life skills required for success in the workplace. The program encourages characteristics identified by local businesses: show up to work on time, work hard, produce quality work and finish the job.
With the help of school officials, School Counts will track student success within the required criteria. To receive a School Counts certificate, a student must achieve a 97 percent attendance and punctuality record, maintain at least a "C" in every course, be on target to graduate in four years and have no more than one office referral in a semester.
Wallace Strickland, EMBDC chairman and chief executive officer of Rush Health Systems, outlined the importance of the program during a press conference Tuesday at Union Station.
At Meridian High School, more than 600 students have signed up and registration is under way in the county's four high schools.
School Counts certificates will be awarded at the end of each semester. The students will then have first priority for part-time, summer and even full-time jobs after graduation.
More than 60 Meridian businesses have signed up for the program and more are encouraged to participate. Those participating include hospitals, banks, restaurants, engineering companies, utilities, industry, retail and some governmental agencies.
Williams said the program will benefit students, local businesses and the community.
Mississippi Business Development Corp. to help students learn the life skills required for success in the workplace and in education.
