DALTON —
Dalton State College plays a big part in plans by local leaders to grow and diversify the area’s economy, so they are viewing proposed cuts to the college with some concern.
“Cutting support for education is not going to help either our community or the state,” said John Neal, chairman of Grow Greater Dalton, a coalition of public and private institutions aimed at fostering economic development.
Former Dalton City Council member Charlie Bethel said that in the short term, the budget cuts could mean more job losses in an area already facing 13.1 percent unemployment, the highest of any metro area in the state.
But he says the longer-term impact may be an even bigger blow to the community.
“We’d lose the momentum Dalton State has built. That feeds our future employment base. That feeds our future economic development,” he said. “When you scale it back, it not the sort of thing you can turn back on at full speed when things get better again. You have to build back up and work back up.”
Bethel said he understands the state and the university system have to cut spending. But he says he hopes they simply don’t cut spending across the board.
“That is not the way to look at this. My alma mater is the University of Georgia, and I don’t want to see it hurt,” he said. “But when you look at the map and Clark County is doing better than about any county in the state through all of this, I can’t help but think they might be able to bear a little bit more.”
Dalton Mayor David Pennington also said he understands the state’s need to close its budget deficit.
“I have no issue with having to cut spending. I’ve done a little bit of that myself,” Pennington said. “Where I have an issue, and I’ve sent a letter to the chancellor concerning this, is that Dalton State College has the lowest tuition of any college in the state of Georgia. And they give the college no authority to raise tuition.”
Pennington said officials at each of the state’s colleges know their markets better than the Board of Regents, and those colleges should be given more flexibility to set tuition and to determine what the college looks like and what programs it offers.
What will the cuts mean for Dalton’s efforts to get some of the college’s programs downtown and have some sort of campus there?
“I don’t think it will diminish that movement. It’s vital to have a growing and dynamic city center, and that’s something campus life will bring, so we’ll continue to pursue it,” Bethel said. “That’s something that is a long-term project in any event. And we are only in the early stages of that effort”
Bethel said the city is also continuing to build a relationship with the Savannah College of Art and Design. City officials hope to bring a satellite campus to Dalton. But again, he said that’s a long-term effort they’ve only just begun.
Education
Local officials view possible cuts at college with concern
- Education
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Dalton schools budget draws almost $2 million from reserves
Dalton School Superintendent Jim Hawkins, left, speaks as board of education members Danny Crutchfield and Rick Fromm listen during a six-hour board meeting retreat. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
Dalton Public Schools Superintendent Jim Hawkins said he’s no longer expecting a big economic bounce back to solve the school system’s budget concerns.
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Northwest students place high, take tech to next level
Several Northwest Whitfield High School students placed high in the Sequoyah Regional Georgia Educational Technology Fair.
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Dalton student on GPS May Court
Christian Bryant of Dalton has been elected to the May Court at Girls Preparatory School and will serve as crown bearer to the May Queen during the May Day festivities in April.
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Northwest Whitfield High School Sweetheart Court
Northwest Whitfield High School's Tip Off Club hosted the 2012 Sweetheart Dance at the school recently.
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Art student’s work on exhibition
Gary Sanchez Soto will represent Murray County High School in “An Artistic Discovery: The Congressional Art Competition” at the Derrell C. Roberts Library on the campus of Dalton State College.
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Professor to speak on the Oscars during 'Lunch & Learn' program
Jonathan Lampley, assistant professor of English at Dalton State, will present “The Oscars: Winners, Losers, and Weird Moments” in the College’s James E. Brown Center, room 105, on Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m.
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Local high schools recognized for AP classes, exams
State School Superintendent John Barge named several local high schools as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools.
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The Perfect Polish
Cosmetology and Skills U.S.A. at North Murray High School recently sponsored a community service project in which Donna Blankenship’s students gave manicures to the residents of the Murray County Senior Center.
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MCHS accepts letterman's jacket
James “William” Butler’s family presented his letterman’s jacket to Murray County High School Principal Gina Linder during halftime of a varsity boys’ basketball game recently. The jacket, which has a “1962 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP” patch on it, will be displayed in the school’s trophy case. Presenting the jacket to Linder were Butler’s nieces, Chloe Brown and Ashley Strong; his wife, Patsy Butler; his daughter, Robin Baggett; and his grandchildren, Jaden and Janna Baggett.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December teacher of the month
English teacher Jennifer Weninger (center) was selected by her peers as December’s Teacher of the Month at Mountain Creek Academy. Principal Paula Martin (right) and Curriculum Instructor Facilitator/Counselor Jennifer Lents presented her with the award.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December staff of the month
Mountain Creek Academy Lisa Sanford, center, accepts a certificate from Principal Paula Martin and Counselor Jennifer Lents (left) as she is recognized with a December Staff of the Month award. Sanford has worked at Mountain Creek for 12 years.
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Med students visit Murray High
In December, students from Murray County High School and North Murray High School were invited to meet with fourth-year medical students Allen Ligon of Augusta and Heath Petty, an MCHS graduate.
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Gladden honors December student of the month
Joey Ecklebarger is the December 2011 Gladden Middle School Student of the Month. Joey is motivated and puts forth great effort in all classes. His behavior and attitude towards school, other students and teachers is also outstanding. Sean Hammond, Joey’s social studies teacher says of Joey, “He is great to have on our team.”
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Coker honors students for Week 14 good behavior
As part of Coker Elementary School’s PBIS or Positive Behavioral and Interventions Support system, students that follow the school expectations are recognized each week for their Great Behavior.
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Gladden students use Facebook in lessons
Gladden Middle School eighth-grader Shaley Stafford shows her Facebook page model on the book “Alice in Wonderland.” Eighth grade reading teacher Keith Rollins had his students choose a book from the library to do a book report on. However, this was not an ordinary book report. After the students read their book, they were to do their report by making a Facebook page about their book.
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