Local News
Bright stresses vocational education
With “probably 60 percent” of Murray County High School’s graduating seniors not going on to college each year, Kenneth L. “Sam” Bright says vocational training is the key.
Georgia Department of Education figures show 44.9 percent of MCHS grads entered college in the 2006-07 school year.
Bright faces Kay Leonard McCurdy in the Republican primary on July 15 for the District 2 seat on the Board of Education. Davena Baxter-Baggett and Anthony Gallman are squaring off on the Democrat side.
A native of Murray, Bright graduated from Murray County High School in 1984, then went directly to work at the Torrington-Fafnir manufacturing company in Calhoun as a programmer. When the company moved to China, he attended Coosa Valley Technical College in Rome to learn telecommunications and networking. He uses those skills now working for SouthTel Communications, with offices in North Georgia and Southeast Tennessee.
Having never run for elective office, Bright was asked why he wanted a seat on the school board.
“I have two children in the school system and I’m also involved on the advisory committee at Gladden Middle School,” he said. “In my work I put in a lot of technology at schools, and I see a lot of different things I like in other systems as far as technology goes.
“Specifically, I’ve seen the kind of technology they use in Gordon County, and how they work with global businesses in raising funds. They also have internships in their schools, where students work with local businesses.”
Bright said high school students who are not going to college need to be paired, for example, with mechanics and electricians in a real world atmosphere to help them get a career going before they graduate.
“The welding class I took at Murray County High helped me to get my first job,” he recalled. “My vision is on the vocational side, and I believe that would help the dropout rate.”
Bright also points to attendance as an area he would address.
“We need to crack down on that,” he said. “We are flooded with low-educated citizens and the carpet industry is down. The days of just going out and getting a job without a diploma are over. We’ve got to give them that knowledge in high school.”
Bright was not critical of the present board, but did say he did not understand why it is taking so long to get the new high school built.
“I’m the father of two children, and my wife is a stay-at-home mom,” he said. “We run our house off one income, and that’s not always easy. But I believe education is a 50-50 thing, so parents need to step up also (and not just educators).
“You get out of education what you put into it.”
School board members are paid $50 each time the board convenes.
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Bomb disposal deployment sends Marine to Afghanistan
The Marine Corps has taken Dalton native Joey Jones from the beaches of Hawaii to the deserts of Iraq.
During his five years in the Marines, he’s also held a multitude of positions, including a “nerdy” desk job as a communications technician and a machine gunner in a security detail.
But his most rewarding military job starts later this month in Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. It’s his job to “render safe” — the term used instead of disarm — explosives in the field, whether it’s a roadside bomb, an unexploded shell or a land mine. -
Dalton schools may face up to $8 million in cuts
Dalton Public Schools may have to cut up to $8 million from its budget by July 2011 or risk running out of money, Superintendent Jim Hawkins told school board members Monday.
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School board says farewell to former post office
Frank W. Thomason grew up in Dalton and used to make runs to the building at 100 S. Hamilton St. when it was still a post office.
“I never thought I would have an office here and be superintendent,” said Thomason, who was superintendent of Dalton Schools from 1986-1996.
Now, the building is about to change hands again. -
Troops pull in today — finally
Lorri Harrison drove several hours with her 2-year-old granddaughter, Nevaeh, to see Nevaeh’s father last week. It was the day after Dad — Spec. Shawn Harris of Charlie Troop — arrived stateside at Fort Stewart with the rest of the 108th Calvary en route from Afghanistan.
“It’s a lot better knowing he’s here in Georgia,” Harrison said. “But even though I know he’s in Georgia, I want him home.”
That will happen today.
Charlie Troop is expected to arrive in Dalton sometime in the early- to mid-afternoon, following a five to six hour bus from ride Fort Stewart -
Man arrested for HIV risk
A Dalton man was arrested on Friday for putting another person at risk for contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV.
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Agenda for Tuesday's called Whitfield County Board of Education meeting
Whitfield County Board of Education members meet Tuesday to discuss a student tribunal appeal decision.
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Library’s van service to end this month
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Restaurant owner named ‘Rising Star’
Kasey Carpenter wasn’t sure what his career path would be after graduating from college.
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Commissioners eying increase in freeport
The freeport inventory tax exemption could cost Whitfield County significantly more than was forecast when it was put on the ballot two years ago, say county officials. Or it could cost significantly less. Or maybe about the same as forecast.
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Reception honors Dalton schools’ time in Hamilton Street offices
Today might mark the last time Dalton Board of Education members meet at 100 S. Hamilton St.
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