"Quick Start"

"Quick Start", Georgia's program to aid new industries and train their employees, is administered in the area by the Blairsville Campus of North Georgia Technical College.

Under this program, the State of Georgia pays for screening, hiring, and training of workers, using curricula developed jointly by "Quick Start" specialists and the new or expanding industry. Workers may be trained on equipment owned by the State, or on special equipment loaned by the industry, either for in-depth pre-employment training in a skill, or in short courses designed to help workers upgrade skills and acquire new skills.

CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS

The 2001 State Report Card, which ranks the 182 school systems throughout Georgia, revealed that Union County Elementary School third graders were ranked "Number One" in the state.

Personnel

The total system employment in 2005-2006 was just over 450.   This total represented 236 certified teachers plus support staff and administrators.  About 65% of the certified staff members hold advanced degrees. Approximately 31% have Master's Degrees, 31% have Education Specialist Degrees, and 2% have Doctorate Degrees.   All certified staff receive a local salary supplement and participate regularly in professional development activities.    

Accreditation

All Union County schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and by the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC). SACS describes accreditation as a desirable overall level of education provided to students by capable administrators and qualified teachers who are adequately supported by a community concerned about the future of their children. Union County High School was initially accredited by SACS in 1978 and the other schools were accredited in 1988.

Facilities

Union County school buildings are some of the most up-to-date in the area.  Union County Primary School was constructed in 1984.  Union County Elementary School occupies a building that was built in 1970 as a high school.  Substantial renovation and improvements were done in 1992.  In 1997 , a science wing was added and the 2003 the building was reconfigured for elementary students.  Union County Middle School was erected in 1992.  In 1998 Union County voter approved a 1% sales tax for construction of a new $11-million high school in Blairsville, and for renovations at Woody Gap School.  This local sales tax was extended in 2002.  The High School opened for the 2002-2003 school year along with Wood Gap renovations and the addition of a new lunchroom and media center.  All schools have an internal computer network that connects classrooms with the school office and with the central office..  Most classrooms have internet service.

The new Union County High School complex opened in August 2002 for the 2002-2003 school year..

Union County High School (June 2002 construction photo)

Custodial and maintenance services are considered outstanding. School facilities are made available to community organizations by arrangement with the Principal.

All schools have an internal computer network (LAN) that connects classrooms with the central school office and with other schools.  Almost all teachers have internet and e-mail service in the classrooms.

School Food and Nutrition Program

The School Food and Nutrition Program is directed by a Registered Dietitian who has a Specialist Degree in Education. At the school level, each cafeteria has a highly skilled staff and a certified manager. Each school offers both a breakfast and lunch program that provides students and school employees with delicious and nutritious meals. In 2004-2005, the Nutrition Program served more than 550,000 meals. As an indication of the quality of the program, the student participation (grades K-12) was about 88%.  The nutrition program was recognized by the Georgia Dept. of Education in March 2003 for the high percentage of student participation.

Transportation

The system utilizes 27 modern buses to transport students. Union County school buses travel more than 1,500 miles each day transporting students to and from school. Bus transportation is available to all students living more than one and one-half miles from their assigned school. Specially equipped buses are provided for the handicapped. School bus drivers are required to have annual physical examinations, participate in bus driver training and annual safety up-dates, and must hold a special Commercial Driver's License. All buses must pass rigorous annual safety inspections and random safety inspections during each quarter..

Financial Information

The 2004-2005 school operating budget was over $30-million. Approximately 37% of these funds are generated through local property tax and another 16% through the 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.  . The Union County 2005 school tax millage rate is 40% of $9.22 per $1.000 of assessed property value. This is one of the lowest rates in Georgia. Offering a quality education at the lowest possible tax rate is a high priority for the Union County Board of Education.

Curriculum and Instruction

The curriculum for Union County Schools is based on the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum (QCC), and where applicable, the newly implemented Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).  The GPS will replace the QCC at all grade levels in the core curriculum areas of  language arts, mathematics, science, and social science.  In the elementary grades the emphasis is on basic skills acquisition for each child. In the middle school, those basic skills are expanded and emphasis is placed upon the transition from childhood to adolescence. In the upper grades refinement of skills and subject matter are emphasized. The high schools offer a college preparatory and a vocational diploma based upon the course of study that the students and their parents choose.

Elementary Grades

Middle Grades

Interdisciplinary teams of middle grades teachers are responsible for teaching the academic areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Connections courses allow students an opportunity to study foreign language, sample high school vocational courses, and study fine arts. The middle grades are designed to allow students a smooth transition from the self-contained classroom of the elementary school to a departmentalized high school.  The Middle School is working with noted educator, Dr. Ruby Payne, to implement a program that will provide greater access to higher quality instruction for all students.    

At the high school level, Union County Schools provide high quality instruction that allows students to pursue either a college preparatory or technical school preparatory program. Union County Schools have a close working relationship with local colleges. Qualified students may take college courses that meet both college and high school graduation requirements.

Teachers at Union County High School have been working with North Georgia Technical College to develop the widely-acclaimed Tech-Prep Program. This program provides a seamless curriculum transition from high school to technical school in several areas of technical education. A related program, designed to assist in the transition from school to work, is the Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Interactive Distance Learning Laboratory

Union County High School has an interactive distance learning laboratory. This includes state-of-the-art interactive audio-video transmitting and receiving equipment. It allows our students to connect interactively to a worldwide distance learning network. Students can take college or high school courses using this innovative technology. Also several courses and seminars are offered to the community throughout the year.

Exceptional Student Education

The special education program provides services to eligible students in all areas of disabilities in accordance with the requirement of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  Related services, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, related vocational instruction, and special transportation are also available.  Students in special education are instructed in settings that include general education classrooms, co-taught classrooms, supportive classrooms (with paraprofessional support), resource classrooms, self-contained classrooms, and hospital/homebound.  The program has the services of a director, an assistant director, a school psychologist, speech pathologists, a technology specialist, and a secretary.

Vocational and Technical Courses

The Vocational (Career) Department serving Union County High School and Woody Gap School offers a variety of programs that serve students in grades 6-12.  Students are offered courses in automotive repair, construction, metals fabrication, business education, family and consumer science and health occupations.

TECH PREP (the Technical Preparation Program) is designed to provide a seamless curriculum that promotes improved academics, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and team building skills. Another TECH-PREP goal is to increase high school completion rates.

The YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (YAP) is a structured year-round program of secondary schooling and work-based learning. It helps students transition from school directly to the work place. YAP is based upon an agreement between a local company to provide jobs and the Vocational Department to coordinate the work/learning experience.   

Extra Curricular Activities

The Union County School System offers a range of extra curricular activities that include: Marching Band, FFA, FHA, Academic Bowl, VICA, VOCA, literary events, Student Council, Chorus, 4-H, Junior and Senior Beta Clubs, Key Club, FBLA, GAMA, Art Club, and HOSA.

Each school in Union County has the services of a counselor.  Student support services are also provided by a social workers with the Family Connections Program, a nurse at Union County Primary, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, and a School Psychologist.

Testing Information

Student academic achievement is the major goal of the Union County School System. Historically, our students have performed well above average on tests developed specifically for students in Georgia.   This is especially evident in the areas of Reading and Language Arts, where Union County mean scores generally exceed the State mean scores.  See the beginning of this Public School section for a recent  School District Report Card.

The results shown below are national percentile scores for the norm-referenced testing administered during the 2004-2005 school year.

Percent of Students Scoring in Each Achievement Level

Blairsville in 1998 celebrated the opening of the Blairsville Campus of North Georgia Technical College, located on GA 515 on the west side of Blairsville across from Meeks Park.

This is a state-of-the-art $5.5-million facility with 48,000 square feet of classrooms, labs and administrative space. The latest technology is found in every program. Teachers and other employees total 51 people. Classes began in the Fall Quarter of 1998.  Student enrollment for 2004 totals 525, with 300 being day school full-time students.

Associate Degree Programs at the Blairsville Campus include:

        Applied Business Technology
        Computer Information Systems
        Professional Chef

North Georgia College and State University

Georgia Institute of Technology         

Young Harris College       

Located 9 miles east of Blairsville in Young Harris, Georgia, Young Harris College is a two-year, coed, residential, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Total enrollment in 2003 was 622.  This figure includes 510 students living in residence halls and 112 local commuting students.

Young Harris College provides 39 areas of study which lead to an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, or an Associate of Science degree. The student/faculty ratio is 17/1 with 30 full-time and 4 part-time faculty members. In 2001, 75% of the students received financial aid. Ninety-two percent of entering Georgia freshmen were HOPE scholars. Young Harris College will cover 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need if the financial aid application is received by May 1. There are 24 students enrolled as Post Secondary Option students. These are local high school students who take college level classes under a State grant.

Young Harris College has intercollegiate baseball and soccer for men along with soccer, tennis and softball for women, and 11 intramural sports. Both the men's and the women's soccer teams were 1997 State Champions and are ranked nationally. The college offers to its students and the public a six-laned indoor swimming pool, a 110-seat planetarium (second largest in Georgia), art, music, drama, and public interest programs and various meeting rooms. The Grace C. Rollins Dining Hall is available for banquets as well as serving meals to the public.