The Roanoke Regional Forum is hosting a panel discussion in which Dr. Rita Bishop, superintendent of Roanoke City Schools, will lead a discussion on education. Here is a press release from the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce:

The Roanoke Regional Forum, an educational and networking organization, presents an important panel discussion that explores how the current economic crisis is impacting K-12 education in our region. Moderated by Dr. Rita Bishop, superintendent of Roanoke City Schools, “Our Schools, Our Business” panel discussion will focus on the relationship of the Roanoke region’s educational resources and the ability to train and inspire tomorrow’s business leaders.

The panel represents a cross-section of those involved in education, from those that train our teachers to practitioners and administrators in the field to those that help to shape our state’s policies on education:

• Dr. Sue Magliaro, Director of the School of Education at Virginia Tech
• Rick Franklin, Principal of Narrows Combined School (K-7)
• Dr. Tom Morris, President of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and past-Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia

“Our Schools, Our Business” will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at the Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall with networking starting at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation starting at 6 p.m.

For this program, the community is invited to attend at a special $10 ticket price. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served during the networking portion of the evening.

The Roanoke Regional Forum series encourages dialogue among business, civic and community leaders by attracting notable speakers to the Roanoke region for the purpose of engaging leaders, raising awareness about relevant issues and the health of the region’s economy.

The Forum is also an educational organization striving to engage, inspire and enlighten with a mission to bring leaders from the world stage to the Southwest Virginia stage. As a networking organization, the Forum coordinates unique opportunities to discuss matters of importance with many of the leading business people and politicians in the Roanoke region.

For ticket information, contact Judy Chambliss at 540-983-0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org or register online at www.roanokeregionalforum.com.