BY LAURIE HAHN, Times-Union Staff Writer

Creating partnerships between businesses and schools can benefit both, attendees at the fifth Education Summit were told Thursday.

"The economic future of this community depends on an educated, motivated workforce," said moderator Steve Grill. "If there's an issue more important than education in our community, I would not know what that would be."

Grill reviewed the accomplishments of past education summits, which include the "Gold Card," given to students who maintain specific standards on grades, attendance and citizenship; the Education Compact, which increases the commitment of businesses to reinforce the need for a good education; the Speakers' Bureau; and the Link Program, which pairs businesses with students or schools and allows employees time to tutor kids.

All five county school superintendents introduced representatives from area businesses who are involved with mentoring in one form or another.

Some bring busloads of students or individuals to the business for programs or tutoring. Other businesses "adopt" individual classrooms or grade levels and work with all the students.

Still others have instituted intern programs or job shadowing.

Mark Stock, Wawasee superintendent, took the concept a step further: "Schools need to reach out to businesses, churches and social agencies to help schools do what they don't have the time or capacity to do."

School-business partnerships help students of all ages, said Ruth Jones, principal of Pierceton Elementary.

"When we say we want our kids to be the best they can be," she said, "they don't even know what they can be." [[In-content Ad]]