Focus on skills for students

By William J. Moss

-----

I agree with David Osterberg's (Sunday column) concern about the closing of Polk Elementary School in Cedar Rapids and Price Lab School in Cedar Falls. I disagree with his supposition that we need to throw more tax money at the problem.

I have have called on schools 24 years and watched schools at all levels pouring money into areas that are wasteful and misdirected.

I must admit that I never called on a school that had a surplus of funding, but private colleges have their alumni support and foundations that continue to meet needs even in hard times caused by government spending that continues to depress the economy with borrowed money.

It is also interesting that Osterberg's “non-partisan,” non-taxable organization attacks the private businesses that pay much of the taxes that pay for public education and also charitably contribute to private and public colleges.

He seems to overlook the money that Rockwell and other for-profit organizations in this area have contributed, while also providing volunteers who help with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs and other career training activities at the high school and community college level.

And speaking of the community colleges, what a tremendous job these colleges are doing within their budgets. Community colleges are overflowing with students right out of high school, perhaps realizing they need more education and skills to get the available jobs. In addition, many college graduates are also finding out that the direction that they idealized to get a four-year degree doesn't pay enough money to pay the bills or lacks any opportunity for employment.

Many skilled jobs are available right now that are unfilled because we don't have people trained with those skills. I know of a nearby company that is advertising for 30 skilled die-casting workers at a high hourly rate with benefits and can't get anyone to even apply. The health care industry is really hurting at all levels because enough skilled people aren't available. Kirkwood Community College has a huge demand for people to work in the alternative energy and the manufacturing sector.

We need to spend more time and effort in trimming the bureaucracy of our school systems, finding out why students are opting out of certain districts and focusing on the needs of students for successful careers instead of pushing them into four-year colleges without a rational plan for them to succeed in life.

William J. Moss of Cedar Rapids is former president and owner of Moss Enterprises Inc., a technology education supplier to more than 1,500 schools in six states. Comments: Bill@Mossent.com