pending agreement between Gordon College and

Fayette Community Schools could significantly

expand the number of courses available to Fayette

County residents and their neighbors.

Jim

Pittman, director of the county's community

schools program, presented the details of a

proposed agreement between the two entities to

Fayette County's school board members recently

for their consideration. With the completion of

major renovations at the Lafayette Education

Center, Pittman said the college would have lab

facilities, as well as storage space, to conduct

core curriculum classes.

Eventually,

it may be possible to earn an associates degree

from Gordon College without leaving the county,

Pittman noted.

The

board is expected to approve the agreement this

month, allowing Gordon to offer four nights of

classes instead of nine classes currently meeting

Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in the fall.

There are now about 180 students attending the

evening classes. "We may also expand our

joint enrollment for high school students,"

Pittman told the board. This would allow high

school students to earn college credit before

graduation.

Gordon

pays the Fayette County School District $150 per

course for classroom space at the Lafayette

Center. The new and improved proposal would

charge Gordon $5,000 per semester, which would be

more beneficial to the Community School,

according to Pittman. The additional income would

also compensate an evening supervisor, who would

stay on site during class time.

Persons

wanting to take advantage of Gordon's program

must first apply and be accepted by the college,

Pittman noted. "The next step would be

getting a four-year school interested in offering

a degree in business or teacher education."

West Georgia College already has courses

available here for teachers seeking a degree in

education administration and Griffin Tech has

partnered with McIntosh to offer students a

number of classes formerly available only at the

main campus.

Gordon

College is part of the university system of

Georgia and credits from about 40 programs can be

transferred to other state institution such as

the University of Georgia.

Pittman

said Gordon will be offering some summer courses.

For information, phone the community school at

770-460-3990 ext. 134 or Gordon College at

770-358-5023.

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