nationally known airline company is ready to let Coweta's

students earn its wings.

Central

Education Center director Mark Whitlock said that AirTran

approached the school recently about forming a

partnership with the new school.

Whitlock

jumped at the proposition and this week 91 students

showed up at Newnan High School to listen to AirTran's

proposal.

"I

really don't think they expected that many to show

up," he said. This fall, students will be able to

take some high school classes, along with technical

programs, at the center.

When the

center is fully operational, a student will be able to

graduate from the high school program at the center and

move immediately into technical college programs the next

year at the same facility.

The

county's three public high schools will feed students

into the center, which also will offer continuing

education programs, along with an evening high school.

The company

will allow students to enter into its training program

this summer at its College Park campus. This fall, when

Central opens, students will be able to enroll in Carroll

Tech's customer service program at the campus.

"This

is the type of partnership we were looking for,"

said Whitlock.

Students

who want to enroll in the unique program must be 17, have

recommendations from teachers and not have excessive

absences from school, he said.

In return,

AirTran will pay students between $8.50 and $8.85 an hour

and give them full benefits including medical and dental

insurance and flying privileges.

The airline

is hoping the students will be inspired by the program

and eventually make it through a four year training

period into a supervisory position.

Students

who are graduating this term also are eligible for the

program and Whitlock said the airline is encouraging the

students to further their educations.

"If

they're going to school in the fall, AirTran said they're

welcome to come back and work during holidays or in the

summer," said Whitlock.

Whitlock is

hopeful that many more businesses will partner with the

new school.