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BPC, MCSS to revive Community Education Partnership

Dr. Lynn Batten (from left), Montgomery County School System Superintendent, Dr. David Smith, BPC president, and Dr. T. Ronald Melton, BPC provost, discuss the revival of the Community Education Partnership with administrative faculty and staff from the two institutions Feb. 26 in the Hall of Fame room on the Mount Vernon campus. (Photo by Kelley M. Arnold)

By Kelley M. Arnold

Interim Director of Marketing

MOUNT VERNON—Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lynn Batten met with Brewton-Parker College President Dr. David Smith and a group of faculty and administrative staff from both the school district and the four-year Christian college Feb. 26 to discuss the revival of a Community Education Partnership.

Dr. Batten opened the meeting, stating he would like to reinvigorate the partnership and enhance the mission of Montgomery County School System (MCSS).

“Our relationships with STC and BPC are very important if we are going to make a difference in the lives of our students, and make sure all our students are productive citizens,” said Dr. Batten. “We appreciate Brewton-Parker’s hospitality. The partnership is a two-way street, and in it, we improve both institutions.”

The Partnership was active two to three years ago but participation had since lapsed. Dr. Smith suggested talking about the needs of the two institutions to determine an agenda for the next three years.

Items the partnership completed in the past includes the popular Quiz Bowl for grades 4-6 held at the college, free access to MCSS’s public schools software for BPC education majors, a Big Brother/Big Sister Program and the use of the BPC track as a measured surface for high school tourneys and the BPC gym as an alternative graduation location for the county’s high school.

The Partnership Committee plans to meet again in April to discuss the needs brought up during the initial meeting. Most important on the list of needs to the Montgomery County educators was the participation of BPC students as tutors and mentors to the county’s schoolchildren.

“We will be glad to provide screenings for our students who plan to participate (as tutors and mentors),” said Sherrie Helms, dean of students at BPC. “All of our student Residence Assistants and Residence Directors are Christians and have great leadership qualities. We are glad to share our students with yours.”

Brewton-Parker College is the only four-year accredited Christian college in south Georgia. To learn more about the college, contact the Office of Admissions at 912-583-3265.

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