DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.- The Dawson County Board of Education approved $250,383 worth of CTAE grants for different programs to be used at the college and career academy.

The board also approved the School Resources Officer’s (SRO) annual contract. The SROs and the Sheriff were present for recognition of partnership in education along with Because Coffee’s owner Doug Cole.

At the Board’s work session CTAE Director Amy Smith made a presentation to the board about the different CTAE grants that they are wanting to apply for, to view that presentation go to https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4051&AID=1431061&MID=102564. The grants are for various programs including Agruital and Vocational.

The grants are both state and federal. One is for construction and remodeling purposes to give opportunities to build better facilities. The breakdown of each grant can be found at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4051&AID=1431060&MID=102564.

These grants will help further the goals of the college and career academy and give the students more opportunities to learn skills needed for the workforce. The graduation rate for 2021 was 99% with 252 credentials of value earned by the students. The grants will help continue this work.

Every year the board has to enter into a contract with Dawson County Sheriff’s Office for the use of deputies for the SRO program. This program keeps a deputy in every school and they work with School Safety Director Tony Wootn to keep Dawson County students safe.

Alex Williams (left) and Doug Cole (right) after he was recognized as a partner in education and hometown hero.

The SROs, Sheriff Jonhston, SRO Lt. Mitch Taylor, and Patrol Captain Brad Rounds were present at the meeting. The Board of Education recognized them and Because Coffee’s owner Doug Cole as this month’s partner in education. During the recognition, Alex Williams from Morden Woodmen also recognized Cole as a hometown hero.

Heard in the clip above is Mr. Hershel Bennett thanking the SROs for what they do in the schools. Taylor then go up and said a few things and introduced the SROs.

Superintend Nicole LeCave announced that there would be a fall break on Sept. 28 through Sept. 30. She also reminded everyone that the Oct. work session will be at 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 4 and the regular meeting will be on Oct. 11 also at 5:00 p.m. She told the board that the current enrollment numbers for this school year are 3,921 which is 7 more students than announced at the work session.