By Tony Marrero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
BROOKSVILLE — As state Rep. Jimmie Smith made his way along the campaign trail last year, the Lecanto Republican heard a lot of concerns about vocational and technical education.
Plenty of voters said the state needs to remember the students who aren't headed for four or two-year degrees, recalled Smith, a political newcomer who would ultimately be elected in August to his first two-year term.
"They need to be able to have an option other than college to fill the jobs of the future," he said.
To that end, Smith is hosting meetings with school officials around his district to start an ongoing dialogue about the state of vocational-technical education.
The next meeting will take place Friday at the Hernando School Board headquarters in Brooksville. Officials from Hernando, Levy and Citrus county will be on hand, and the event is ...