By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterAt their September monthly meetings, both the Warren County R-III and Wright City R-II School Districts made the decision to continue their relationships with the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council.Each vowed to renew its $5,000 annual contribution with the organization, after considering the impact the group has made in the community.The R-III school board approved the extension with a unanimous 7-0 vote during its Sept. 10 meeting.Warren County Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler says the relationship between the district and the council is pivotal in making certain local graduates are both prepared by the school to enter the workforce and have jobs available once they are ready.“As a school we’re educating the children, but we’re also partnering with the community to help build a workforce,” said Chandler. “This is something that’s going to help us improve and build a workforce in Warren County.”The superintendent sees considerable value in the 220 new jobs the GWCEDC has helped bring the county as well as the 80 jobs it’s helped retain since its inception.“There are things that we can offer as they continue to go out and search to bring businesses and employment to Warren County,” said Chandler. “We can talk to them and say, ‘What are the things that you’re looking for,’ and we’ll try to provide the resources and prepare our students accordingly.”GWCEDC representative Steve Etcher presented the workforce numbers during the R-II meeting Sept. 17. He also vowed to provide more frequent communication with the district, after the board indicated it would like to be better informed of the council’s projects.Etcher explained the primary objectives of the GWCEDC, which are to bring new investments to the community, market the region to prospective new businesses and connect local students to local employers.“As a region, we are competing for employment opportunities for our community,” said Wright City Superintendent Dr. David Buck. “That affects our ability to educate students as well. We are very happy with the job creating and jobs saved via the efforts of the GWCEDC.”Buck says he recognizes the need for increased employment opportunities is especially high within the boundaries of his district, which is experiencing a separation between its tax base and that of neighboring districts.“This past year, we saw a decrease in our assessed valuation, while the school districts to the east of us saw an increase,” said Buck. “That means their tax base raised, while ours did not. This widens the gap of resources we have at our disposal.”School Districts