“We are selling dreams” – Andy Smith
The first-year superintendent of Oconee public schools, Andy Smith, sang the praises today for completing a high school education. The dropout rate received much attention as Smith spoke to Walhalla Rotary Club and answered individual Rotarians’ questions. He called attention to statistics that show, from an earnings standpoint, the disadvantage dropouts face when they can’t present a diploma or the equivalent to gain a good paying job in the workforce. The 9th grade is often the time in a student’s education when he or she quits. But the district is well aware, said Smith, that the risk to drop out can come as early as the third grade, if the student can’t read at minimum proficiency.