Group to Focus on Keys to the Future

Penny Lauritzen of Lanark, IL, has been invited to serve a two year term on the Gender Equity Advisory Committee by Christopher A. Kock, State Superintendent of Education.

The Gender Equity Advisory Committee was legislatively established in the 1989 Vocation Education Act. The Committee’s task is to advise and consult with the IL State Board of Education to ensure that all students have equal educational opportunities to pursue high-wage, high-skill occupations leading to economic self-sufficiency.

At the February organizational meeting, Ms Lauritzen was elected Secretary for the Committee. She also presented information regarding the upcoming fourth annual “2013 Women Changing the Face of Agriculture – Your Key to the Future” and the Community Book Read of “Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain & What It Means for America” that is currently underway in the Eastland School District communities of Lanark, Shannon and Lake Carroll. Eastland is one of the schools currently piloting the State Board of Education “Race to the Top” initiative.

Anyone wishing to participate in the review of Hollowing Out the Middle with others from the Eastland community are invited to the conversation at 6 PM on Thursday evening, February 28, 2013, at Lanark’s Heritage Center. A big pot of chili will be offered, and the conversation promises to be lively and quick. Copies of the book are available at the Lanark Public Library or you can e-mail Penny Lauritzen at Lauritzen@farmestate.com to add your name to the waiting list to join in the Community Book Read.