SAN BERNARDINO - With Randall Lewis of Lewis Group of Companies and Larry Sharp of Arrowhead Credit Union joining forces with County Superintendent Herbert Fischer, the San Bernardino County Alliance for Education is calling business, labor and governmental representatives to action by partnering with public schools to develop and educated and skilled community that will provide a qualified workforce.

"Public--private partnerships are the only way for us to reach the full potential that exists in the county," said Lewis, executive vice president/director of marketing for Lewis Operation Corp. Sharp, president and chief executive officer of Arrowhead Credit Union, added, "The partnership will provide competitive advantages to the businesses and community in general by raising the skill level of the county's workforce." Both Lewis and Sharp speak from experience, as their companies have been active school-business partners in the Inland Empire.

"Preparing students for graduation and beyond is no longer just a high school issue; it's a community issue and an economic issue," stresses Fischer. "Our business, labor and government partners have stepped up to the plate to support our schools because they recognize that an investment in education is an investment in the future vitality of our communities."