BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont city leaders, first responders, and Lamar Institute of Technology met Tuesday to discuss new ways to support Beaumont ISD students as the district faces the possibility of a state takeover .

The partnership aims to launch an initiative designed to connect students with workforce opportunities and encourage them to plan for their futures.

“We want to make them stronger and we make them stronger through education,” Ward 2 Councilman Joey Hilliard said.

Hilliard, who is helping spearhead the effort, said one key part of his platform was promoting the civil service exam, which opens the door to becoming a police officer or firefighter. While high school students are eligible to take it, he said many don’t know the option exists.

“We need to market it,” Hilliard

See Full Page