In past years, the Coweta County Board of Education has retreated to such exotic locales as Auburn, Ala., to set its agenda for the coming year.

But in a sign of a new attitude at the board, the members will retreat this weekend to the Coweta County Centre for Performing and Visual Arts in Newnan.

School system public information officer Dean Jackson said the board has a busy agenda for today and Saturday.

"They'll be discussing curriculum issues, along with such programs as No Child Left Behind," Jackson said.

At previous retreats, the board has hammered out difficult issues, such as the budget, which will also be discussed this year. But Jackson said this year's retreat will be a little different.

"It's almost going to be a 'getting to know you' session with this board," Jackson added.

The new board has only met once since three former board members were swept out in the November elections. Mitch Powell, who now chairs the board, has promised the new board would respond to the public's questions.

Jackson expects the board to discuss issues from 1-5 p.m. today, and follow it up with a 9 a.m.-noon session On Saturday.