School officials show thanks to partners with breakfast

Sausage, bacon, grits, eggs and biscuits were offered as a thank you to the business community by Columbia County school officials Dec. 15.

The Superintendent's Holiday Breakfast for the school system's business partners served about 40 area executives at the Brandon Wilde clubhouse while they were serenaded with Christmas carols by Evans High School chorus members.

County school Superintendent Tommy Price also offered his thanks to the business leaders in attendance.

"We know that the key to a quality school system is attracting quality people," Price said.

The little extras offered by the business community help the school system recruit better teachers to the county, Price said.

The need is even more pronounced considering the school system's rapid growth.

Student enrollment grew by more than 800 this school year, for a total of about 21,000.

Officials intend to build about one new school a year for the next five years, Price said, to keep up with the growth.

"We're in a different cycle ... an accelerated growth trend," he said.

However, Price said he was encouraged by the growth of the business community and the added dollars they contribute to the 1-cent sales tax.

"I don't know what we'd do without the SPLOST," he said. "I thank the Lord every day that it's made available to boards of education."

Price also recognized state Sen. Jim Whitehead, R-Evans, who attended the breakfast. Legislative assistance will make the system's growth trend run more smoothly, Price said.

"They know what's important to us," Price quipped. "It's always money."