The Education Planning committee of the CUEE (Community Unification for Educational Excellence) met Thursday night at the Boys and Girls Club on Toombs Street to continue their work on developing an education plan for the community.

Boys and Girls Club Director Robert Soper spoke to the committee about the impact of the club to the community.

“This is a reinvention of the Boys and Girls Club which now focuses more on education,” said Soper.

Soper told the group about the beginning of the club and that many of the children who were members struggled with solicitation by gang members.

“Pretty soon we realized we had to make an overall vision for the club. It was a community project,”said Soper.

Soper added that the club is in the process of revamping the building on Toombs Street to implement a teen center.

Vice President of Development and Marketing Matt Jansen spoke to the group about the future of the club to the community.

“We have the ability to tap into many great things, if we work together,” said Jansen.

Valdosta State University’s Dr. Brian Gerber spoke to the group about the Valdosta Early College Academy (VECA).

“This year we will be a sixth through ninth grade school. Bill Cason has been a strong supporter of VECA,” said Gerber.

Gerber explained the emphasis on graduating college that is placed in the students minds at VECA.

“Graduating high school is great. But college is part of the conversation all the time,” said Gerber.

Gerber explained to the committee why local businesses should be involved in the success of the schools.

“For every 30 kids you take away from being a dropout to earning a college degree, you gain 11.6 jobs,” said Gerber.

A concerned parent told Gerber that her son is going through the VECA program and she is happy about the results.

“It is a good program. I see a change in my son.”

Gerber said students who started in the sixth grade go on into the eleventh grade with the option of taking college level courses while in high school and earning an associates degree.

Valdosta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Cason followed up by telling the crowd his views on the progress within the school system throughout the district.

“Our attendance in the past year has been the best across the district than it has ever been. I could not be more proud. You will see a huge impact down the road I think,” said Cason.

The committee members watched a documentary, “Waiting on Superman,” which is based on the No Child Left Behind Act and gives a unique perspective of public education.

Facilitator Steve Prigohzy asked the committee about their thoughts on the film.

A question was asked why consolidate the school system and not spend more money on the VECA program.

Prigohzy stated that the meeting was not about school consolidation but about finding ways to help the school system improve overall.

“They’re called public schools for a reason. Schools everywhere will be better served if there is constant communication between community leaders, schools, parents and teachers,”said Prigohzy.

Prigohzy concluded that the point of the education committee is to work together and find ways of increasing success within all the school systems.