LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Why are Laurel County’s test scores unsatisfactory?

What are the goals of the new school superintendent?

What training will the new vocational school offer?

These and many other questions may be on the agenda at the Education Summit scheduled for this Thursday at the London Community Center.

As one of the four areas defined by the Vision 2020 committee, the Education Summit is geared to bridge the communication barrier sometimes found between parents, the public, and school officials.

Thursday’s forum will be facilitated by Dr. Lorraine Garkovich, a professor with the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture. Garkovich facilitated the Vision 2020 forum held late last fall. The Education Summit will also give residents the opportunity to meet the new Laurel County School Superintendent Doug Bennett. Also available at the summit will be Hunter Hills Elementary Principal Brian Bond, who was recently selected to participate in a  leadership program geared toward the educational field.

The public is urged to submit their questions and concerns to the London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce by Wednesday (today).

Deanna Herrmann, executive director of the London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce, said the purpose of the meeting was multi-fold.

“We want people to walk away from this meeting with each having more respect and understanding. We want to have more communication on actions taken and keep the communication gaps open between the parents and the school system,” Herrmann said. “The questions can be anything that concerns the school system.”

Herrmann, who has children in the local school system, said the quality of the schools is a vital part of the community.

“Some of the first questions asked when people are looking to locate here, either personally or when businesses are looking to locate here, is about the school system. It’s vital to the progress of London and Laurel County,” she said.

Herrmann added seeing the community involved with the schools “strengthens the community and the businesses.”

“Having a strong school system and having communication between the community and the schools makes an area more attractive to prospective businesses. The summit will also give people the opportunity to meet the new superintendent and to find out what his plans involve for our school system.”

Questions to be addressed at the Summit can be sent by email at deanna@londonlaurelchamber.com.



njohnson@sentinel-echo.com