IN Greensburg Salem Spring 2019 | Page 32

Superintendent Letter from the Dr. Gary Peiffer – Superintendent Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends of the Greensburg Salem School District, I n 1955, my father enrolled at Kutztown State Teachers College. This was after he spent time working in the furnace at Bethlehem Steel in 1950, followed by 4 years serving in the Navy on the USS Darby and USS Sarsfield while the Korean War raged on. As a veteran, he was one of almost 10 million servicemen who benefited from the opportunities the GI Bill provided. Because of that opportunity, he became the first one in our family to attend and graduate from college. As a new teacher in the booming post war economy of the 1950’s, my father was able to take advantage of the opportunities the job market provided with the influx of students entering American schools. Dad’s experience led him to encourage my sister and I to attend college as well. The thinking was that a college degree in and of itself would lead to our achieving our own version of the American Dream. So, like several of our friends- whose parents also served in the armed forces and benefitted from the GI Bill, we each went to college. It wasn’t just an option that was presented to us, it was the ONLY option that was presented- the job market wasn’t really a part of the equation. To be responsive to the needs of our students and to meet the demands of the workforce, families should consider all career and training options available for them. Educators have to work with local businesses and industry to determine what the work force needs will be and how best to fill them. A college education could be one of the ways to meet those needs. However, a college education is expensive. The average annual in-state college tuition for Pennsylvania was $22,299 for the 2017-2018 school year, as stated on the site Collegecalc.org. This is $8,187 higher than the national average. This makes Pennsylvania, according to Collegecalc.org, the 5th most expensive state in which to attend college. In order to pay for these costs, many people are forced to take out student loans. The website Studentloanhero.com states that the average student loan burden for the Class of 2017 is $39,400- which is up 6 percent from the previous year. There are 44.2 million Americans who have student loan debt, and pay an average monthly loan payment of $351.00, making it difficult to pay for other things like rent, utilities, and food. With college costs and debt accumulation so high, one may wonder what other options are available for someone looking for a dynamic job fitted to meet the workforce needs in our region. It is projected for our area that jobs will be needed in the fields of healthcare, oil and gas, petrochemical, biotech, robotics, artificial intelligence, and building construction. In many of these fields, there is a need for skilled and technically trained workers. In the building trades, for example, for every five people retiring, only one person is entering the field. Often, these dynamic jobs provide employees with opportunities for advancement and a change in job type as a person progresses through the position. As noted by the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, 57% of the careers emerging in our region require two-year degrees, certifications, and high-end skills. These are highly professional, hands- on and engaging jobs. Opportunities for training and partnerships for these jobs are provided through local high schools, career technology centers, community colleges, and technical training centers. With average base salaries for positions like an HVAC Service Technician being $49,925, an Electrician at $52,497, a Field Service Engineer at $69,589 or “To be responsive to the needs of our students and to meet the demands of the workforce, families should consider all career and training options available for them.” a Construction Project Manager at $71,866 (as noted on Payscale.com) one can see that these jobs not only meet employment demands of the region, but also can help students achieve their own version of the American Dream. As Superintendent, I recognize the need, benefit and value of having a college diploma and post graduate study. A college education opens doors and provides opportunities for students personally and professionally while fueling the engine of science, commerce, research, industry, education, healthcare, and the humanities. However, I also recognize that there are many options also available to students that will provide them with similar professional and personal opportunities. Without incurring the crippling student loan debt, students may find fulfilling and dynamic jobs in the many growing fields in our region that will also them to become productive citizens and valued community members. A college degree in a field in which there is little prospect of economic growth or demand could lead a young adult to a dead end job with little prospect of getting out of oppressive debt. If students and parents are considering career options, I encourage them to talk to their local school counselor about opportunities for growth and work in technology and business fields. If possible, they should contact their local career and technology center to talk with a staff member or to take a tour and see for themselves what career paths are open. It may just be the path to the achieving the American Dream. Sincerely, Dr. Gary Peiffer The Greensburg Salem School District pages are edited and compiled by the Community Relations Department. For more information please contact Melissa O’Brien, at 724.832.2907 or [email protected]. 30 greensburg salem