Public forums were key components in the Ironton School District’s successful efforts to build new facilities. So it only makes sense that a similar forum offers the community a chance to see where the schools are at and where they are going.

That is the driving concept behind the upcoming “State of the Schools” address that Ironton Superintendent Dean Nance will give to the Board of Education.

Of course the superintendent and the board communicate regularly, but the 6 p.m. July 31 meeting will be hosted in the high school auditorium and is designed to encourage citizens and taxpayers to come learn what has been going on in the district.

Hopefully, citizens will take advantage of this opportunity and this can become a yearly event for the Ironton schools.

Ideally, Lawrence County’s others public school districts will emulate this model, with the end result being that the county’s taxpayers, parents and residents are well-informed and engaged in what occurs in the school systems.

Ohio’s public education funding concept remains flawed and, although changes are being discussed by the governor and the legislature, the reality is this system will remain in place for the near future.

That means it will be more important than ever that school districts and the community to work together and communicate, with the end result being to provide the best possible education for all Lawrence County students.