Talks to begin soon on Georgia school mergers

An education work group organized by Governor Sonny Perdue recommends the state's eight community colleges merge with the 33 technical colleges. That would mean a merger between Darton College and Albany Technical College here.

Calls to Darton weren't returned in time for this story. Albany Tech President Dr. Anthony Parker told us it's early on and there's no detailed plan from state leaders yet.

"We are fortunate in Albany to have three great institutions of higher education, Albany State, Darton College and Albany Tech. I think we would be concerned if we were missing any one of the three," said Parker, "I want to do my best and I want the faculty and staff at Albany Tech to do their best to add as much value as they can in the upcoming year and let everything else sort itself out."

This proposal has come up in the past but never got much backing from state lawmakers and educators. The committee will meet this Summer to discuss the issue.

The 2-year colleges in our area that could be affected are Darton, Bainbridge, South Georgia and Waycross Colleges.