There’s no doubt that the increased graduation rates and decreased dropout rates in Lunenburg County is a direct result of the hard work of our area’s teachers, students, staff and division administrators.

The increase in on-time student graduation rates is commendable and will not only allow for added success for our students, but for the entire community.

The more students who graduate from high schools results in a stronger local economy as the skills the students gain in school will be used as they seek jobs, start their own businesses and move on to colleges, universities or trade schools.

More people working and contributing to our local economy means a better quality of life for everyone who lives, visits and does business in the Heart of Virginia.

According to the VDOE, Lunenburg County Public Schools had an on-time graduation rate of 88 percent for 2017 and a dropout rate of 9.4 percent. In 2016, the school had an on-time graduation rate of 82.1 percent and a dropout rate of 10.6 percent.

Regarding the increase in the on-time graduation rate, Division Superintendent Charles Berkley said the credit goes to the teachers, students, parents and building administrators.

These tremendous statistics will also be viewed as selling points for those seeking to move their families here, those looking for jobs in this community and those looking to open or expand their existing business  as — we and many others believe — one of the strongest parts of the backbone of a community lies in its public education system.