Members of the Leadership Fannin Class of 2025 received an in depth look at the Fannin County School System Thursday, March 6, in the latest session of their program.
The “full circle” of education offered in Fannin County was the first message presented, that circle beginning with Head Start and continuing through the University of North Georgia, including the offerings at Mountain Education High School.
Darren Danner, the system’s chief operations officer, then reviewed “a lot of little protocols with an interactive system (that provide) layers of protection” to protect students and staff.
Danner’s presentation started the day that would include visits to the county’s high school and middle school.
He explained how an extensive audio/visual system is monitored at both the district level and at individual schools by administrators and School Resource Officers. This includes an alarm system that can used in different ways depending on the situation.
Danner also talked about the construction underway at the high school that includes ballfields and a multi-purpose facility. This work is expected to be completed in July 2026.
At the same time, a new Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) facility is being planned and is the next improvement scheduled for the high school campus. Danner told class participants they would see just how badly such a new facility is needed during their visit to the high school.
Danner, joined by School Superintendent Shannon Miller, said the system is and will remain 100% debt free, construction costs included, thanks to the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education (E-SPLOST).
Miller echoed Danner’s praise for the tax, the majority of which is paid by visitors to Fannin County, because it allows the school system “to preserve the revenue from out tax base to put into instruction,” Miller said.
Chamber of Commerce President Christie Gribble pointed out that the increases being seen in SPLOST revenue “are right in line” with the county’s increase in visitation numbers.
The Leadership Fannin visit to the school system is representative of “a great working partnership between education and the business community,” Rob Kaiser said. Kaiser is the Leadership Fannin coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the program.
The day with the school system was one of nine days class members set aside to take part in the chamber’s effort to teach individuals how Fannin County works – everything it has to offer and the many services and advantages available.
Other days concentrate on local government, healthcare, state government, social services, economic development, arts & parks, and tourism. As part of the program, for instance, participants must attend government meetings.
The program traditionally begins in January each year and ends with graduation in May.