Concerned with area graduation rates hovering around 75 to 82 percent, a group of community and school officials formed the Dropout Prevention Committee in 2009.
The committee later changed its name to Kosciusko County Education Development, and developed objectives to impact dropout rates. At the high schools, the committee helped put graduation coaches in place.
A mentoring program at the elementary and middle school levels encourages younger students in stay in school. Thursday afternoon, KCED recognized sponsors of the program this year, including (L to R), front row: Ot Schroeder, State Farm Insurance corporate; Mike Wallen, Monteith Tire; John Elliott, 1st Source Bank; George Brennan, Lake City Group; back row: Suzie Light, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; Christi Anderson, Health Force; Tabitha Cooper and Donna Fisher, both of Paragon Medical; Stacey Jones, Biomet; and Abby Weiss, ABC Industries.
