Arianna BennettChannel 2 News
Local businesses and community leaders are teaming up to boost education in northern Nevada.
Along with the Washoe County School District, they unveiled a new community compact at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Wednesday.
The program was basically designed to coordinate volunteers and boost the graduation rate. "This is a problem that we've had in our community for awhile. Our graduation rate in Nevada is often cited as the lowest in the nation. It's going to take an entire community and lots of time and effort to help our youth succeed and graduate them all ready for life," says Nevada Public Education Foundation President Laura Grenier.
The Washoe Ready for Life Community Compact is an umbrella program where anyone can volunteer to help the education system in Washoe County.
That could involve something like, reading to kids a few times a month, allowing access to a work computer, or just pledging to have your kids do their homework every night.
The program is sponsored by business leaders and activists from all over the community, as well as local governments, and the students themselves.
And district officials say, this program will take a little bit of weight off of their shoulders. "At a time, when we've had huge reductions to our budget. If we get the support of the community, more volunteers, more businesses helping, more civic organizations, all working together for the benefit of our children," says WCSD Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison.
For more information go to HTTP://www.readyforlifenv.org
