Goose Creek Memorial High School’s Global Business Academy exemplifies the strength of these collaborations. Chick-fil-A works directly with students on leadership development, Chevron Phillips Chemical supports the school as a whole, Exxon partners with the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program to strengthen student outcomes and Aramark collaborates with students to operate a campus based coffee shop. Beacon Federal Credit Union helps students gain workplace training and paid internship opportunities, and many return after college to work at Beacon full time. The credit union provides scholarships, hosts financial literacy sessions, and even steps in during times of crisis. “They also partner with the teachers,” Jackson says. “When Hurricane Harvey happened, they offered low interest rates for houses, low interest rates for cars that were flooded, home improvement services, and they did it on site at the campus for that staff.” INVESTING IN THE FUTURE The district’s capital investments are guided by a commitment to student outcomes and industry needs. Jackson emphasizes, “We’re always looking at how we can put money back into something that produces a quality student that the business community wants.” One recent project involved consolidating three underutilized elementary campuses into one and working with transforming 255 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 GOOSE CREEK CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx