Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday, May 11, 2017 for their annual Spring Full Membership Meeting.  The event was held in the foyer of the Bearcat Event Center.

C.A. Counts, new Dexter R-XI School District Superintendent, spoke to the crowd and is excited to get to work in Dexter. 

"I believe that part of the school's responsibility is to provide a productive workforce for the community," stated Counts.  "It is our job, our responsibility, to teach students the work habits and the things that are vital for them to remain in this community and to be productive citizens."

He praised the accomplishments of those students who find great success in medicine, education, and business management, but he also noted that one of his passions is the education of those students who will enter the workforce and utilize skills in welding, HVAC, and other trades vital to our community.

"That's been a something that has been of interest to me," commented Counts. "How to teach kids to be good, solid members of the community and of the local workforce.  That's one of my goals.  We can't concentrate on just the upper level students.  We need to focus on all students."

Counts has 26 years in education and the last 11 years he has been in the role of administrator.

"I have a great respect for the job that the teachers here do," he said. "To be able to have an effect on this school systems means a lot to me.  My door is always open and I encourage anyone from the community to contact me."  His contract with Dexter Schools begins July 1, 2017.