Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Industry, education teaming up in unique program

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

A unique partnership between industry and education is brewing in Coweta County.

Coweta County officials unveiled last week a proposed unique partnership between the Coweta County School System and Hollywood.

State Senator Mitch Seabaugh and other officials hope to see the county's Central Education Center expand its educational mission to Riverwood Studios in Senoia, just across Line Creek from southern Peachtree City.

Riverwood president Scott Tigchlearr wants to make it clear, though, that the focus is not in creating the next Steven Spielberg.

"We're not training kids for a career in Hollywood," he said.

Instead, CEC will lease 60,000 square feet at the studio to teach its classes in an industrial setting.

"Classes that are already being taught, such as construction and welding, will now be taught at the studio instead of in a classroom. It's like if you took the robotics class they teach and held it at Yamaha," he said.

The other 60,000 square feet at the studio will still be used for moviemaking, and students may have an opportunity to experience some interaction with some of Hollywood's dream makers.

"They already have a film and video class at CEC, so they will have an opportunity to possibly view a hands-on experience in the movie business," said Tigchlearr.

By moving many of their classes to the Senoia studio, CEC will now have more space at their Newnan campus to expand their offerings.

"With a tight budget, it's a unique way to get more space without building a new school," he added.

Coweta County Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter is thrilled to see the expansion of Central.

"It's a great thing for the county. I met with the people at the studio last week, and I'm fully supportive of their efforts," Hunter said.

Central Education Center opened in 2000 as a unique partnership between industry and government.

The center offers high school classes along with technical programs from Carroll Tech.

Coweta's three public high schools feed students into the center, which also offers continuing education programs, along with an evening high school.

Movies that have been filmed in part at Riverwood include "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Freejack," "The War," "Andersonville" and "Consenting Adults."

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