2 hours ago
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - Six school leaders from La Crosse County met with business leaders Monday to explore opportunities for collaboration that benefit both education and local industry.
The schools represented included the four public districts in La Crosse, West Salem, Holmen, and Onalaska, along with the county’s two private schools, Aquinas and Luther High Schools.
The forum was hosted by the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Our K through 12 schools are our workforce of the future. Understanding how schools prepare students for existing jobs in our community is crucial. It’s equally important for school districts to learn from businesses about the soft skills they seek, identify current training gaps, and share successful programs across districts,” said La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Sam Scinta.
School District of La Crosse Superintendent Aaron Engel emphasized the importance of preparing students for the workforce.
“Staying current on future jobs and the skills required is a priority. By fostering connections between businesses and schools, we can ensure students develop the right skills at the right time to fill local jobs and support our economy,” Engel said.
John Byus, mission advancement director at Luther High School, highlighted the value of communication between schools and businesses for community benefit.
“Engaging with other leaders helps us learn how they manage resources and programs, who leads these initiatives, and how they connect with institutions like Western Technical College or the UW System to create opportunities for students,” Byus explained.
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