says, noting that results help schools target supports and coordinate wraparound services with community partners. TAKING A STAND ON SOCIAL MEDIA’S IMPACT District leadership recognizes that student wellbeing is shaped not only by what happens on campus, but also by the digital environment students navigate daily. “We’re one of the first school systems to join the class action lawsuit against META and the use of those algorithms to really draw and really cause addiction of students,” Dr. Oertling says. The district has been identified as a bellwether system in the litigation, reflecting its willingness to confront external factors that impact student success. The goal, Dr. Oertling emphasizes, is to address barriers to learning wherever they exist—inside and outside of classrooms. A REGIONAL ECONOMY THAT RUNS ON WORKFORCE Few regions illustrate the link between education and economic development as clearly as the River Region. Ray Gregson, CEO of the River Region Chamber of Commerce, also serves as s St. Charles Parish School Board Member, giving him a unique perspective on workforce needs. “For years, our area was a three-legged stool and now a four-legged stool,” Gregson says, referring to the region’s traditional advantages of river access, highways, and Class 1 rail.The fourth leg, he explains, is the workforce. “If you want economic development, have a workforce,” Gregson adds, recalling conversations with executives evaluating investment opportunities in Louisiana. Gregson points to the strong earning potential tied to the region’s industrial and energy sectors.“When you look at the average salaries for these jobs, you’re averaging $90,000 plus nowadays,” he says, noting that many of these roles are accessible to young adults early in their careers. 252 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02
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