The C4 Report From the City of Central Chamber of Commerce

Schools + Business = Success

    Quality of life, economic growth, and a sustainable business environment are all partially dependent upon an excellent educational system.  This statement can be validated, if by nothing else, by what we watched unfold during the recent Louisiana State Legislative Session.  Our Governor, many of our legislators, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry all backed state education reform.  There can be no question that educational reform is not only a major concern but it is also a hot button issue, if for no other reason than the impact education has on our state’s economic outlook.  With lawsuits being filed and the debate still ongoing, it is obvious that this issue is far from being resolved.  However, with all this turmoil and the start of another school year upon us, the citizens and the businesses of Central can breathe a collective sigh of relief!  Thanks to our public, private, and parochial schools we stand as a lighthouse in our state.

    Several years ago, visionaries in our community saw that “a bridge was out” in the area of public education and that we were heading towards that bridge at an alarming rate!  The decision was made to do whatever was necessary to form our own public school system.  Thus, we have the City of Central and the Central Community School System.  Today, thanks to these visionaries and the diligence of those who have overseen our system, we can boast high state rankings, a new school complex, quality educators and staff, a safe and quality educational environment for our children, and an even brighter future!  To these visionaries we say thank you!

    With the continued growth and excellence of our public schools and the ongoing quality of our private and parochial schools, the business community and our citizens can confidently look towards the future.  As education and commerce continue to flourish in our community, we will continue to increase in our appeal to other businesses, educators, and parents around our area, our state, and our nation.  We truly appreciate, and definitely do not take for granted, all the effort that has been and will continue to be put forth to maintain our educational edge.   So as another school year commences, special thanks goes out to all our area schools, public, private, and parochial and to the dedicated employees that make these systems function in excellence!