School is out, which means despite what the calendar says, for all intents and purposes it’s summer.
For a lot of young people, that means not only an escape from the tedium of school work and an opportunity to pursue their hobbies and interests, but a chance to make some money.
While there is, in some circles, a sentiment that kids today don’t have the work ethic of previous generations, we see many, many examples of kids who are using the summer months to earn money.
If fewer kids are working today, it may be more a function of a lack of opportunity than a lack of drive.
That’s why we are disappointed to note that this year’s summer jobs program in Columbus has been suspended while the jobs program in Starkville has been scaled back, not because of a lack of interest, but because of a lack of funding.
In both communities, applications for the 15 to 25 jobs numbered in the hundreds. So there is little doubt there are students out there who are eager to work.
This year, the Mississippi Department of Transportation suspended its grant program to help cities fund jobs programs for students ages 16-to-24. The $35,000 grants were matched by city funds. In Columbus, the council set aside $20,000 for the program. In Starkville, the city added $10,000 to the program.
The loss of that grant money means Columbus will not have a summer jobs program for the first time in 24 years. In Starkville, the program will continue on a limited scale, providing part-time jobs for 15 students.
MDOT can hardly be blamed for the eliminated the program, which has seen its budget cut in each of the past two years.
Given the legislature’s stubborn refusal to address the state’s revenue shortages, it is likely that if these kinds of programs are going to survive, other sources of funding must be found.
Should the lack of funding continue next year, we urge our public leaders to call for private assistance on this program. We believe local businesses and our large industries would rally to this cause.
Contrary to popular belief in some quarters, there are many, many kids who want to work and will benefit not only from the paycheck they receive, but from the life skills that are taught and developed through holding a job.
Let’s make sure next summer these programs will not only return, but return better than ever.
Private support can make that happen.
It might be the ONLY way it can happen, given the current climate.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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