Civil Municipal - June 2024

years away, and recently moved back. Both of my parents were educators in this community, and I had always wanted to come back and give back.” WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Further emphasizing the importance of community engagement, Culpepper adds,“One of my core beliefs is that the school system is a part of the community, and the community is a part of the school. There has to be a symbiotic relationship between your government entities, your parents, between your school. If you build a community culture where people want to be there, good things can happen. And they will happen.” Workforce development is a critical focus for Lanier County Schools, as illustrated by various initiatives that connect students with local businesses.Through collaborations with entities like Affinity Homes, Georgia Print Co., Farmers and Merchants Bank, and South Georgia Medical Center, students gain valuable work experience, while also enhancing the relationship between the school system and the community. Culpepper notes,“We’ve got several students at the local drugstore and scattered out in a lot of the small businesses around Lakeland and even some in Valdosta. We have about 480 kids in our high school, but we have over 100 students that are involved in workplace learning.” ENHANCING SECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS Safety and infrastructure are paramount in Lanier County School District. Recent school safety grants have enabled significant upgrades, including high- definition cameras, a new intercom system, and ballistic glass installations. The district has also invested in the Centegix safety alert system and employs resource officers on each campus to ensure a secure learning environment. “We want our law enforcement officers to be viewed as positive,” Culpepper maintains. “We want them to be present as a positive thing in kids’ lives and not just when something bad happens in the community. It’s very important, I think, to help young people understand law enforcement is not your enemy. They’re here to protect us.” 195 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06 LANIER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT