The study determined that the Valdosta High School graduation rate will increase by 1.2 percentage points, from 57.3 to 58.5 percent. The Lowndes High School graduation rate will decrease by 0.8 percentage points, from 78.4 percent to 77.6 percent, if the systems are consolidated.

The study also found that meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) has a greater impact on the graduation rate than racial composition.

The study stated that if the system’s did unify, the new consolidated school system will not receive any additional incentives to increase the enrollment size of the individual schools.

Several representatives from the Lowndes County School System are expected to attend the Town Hall Meeting on Nov. 17, said Heather Bonner, director of communications for the system.

While both superintendents attended a meeting at the chamber to discuss the results of the study, neither school system had a role in the creation or distribution of the survey, she said.

Previously, Chamber President Myrna Ballard said the chamber did not survey the entire community because the chamber’s focus is solely on the economic impact of having separated or consolidated schools in the community.

The study is an effort by the chamber to best determine how to improve economic development in the community, with focus on bringing better paying jobs for residents and retaining high school and university graduates in the community with a variety of jobs.

Through the summer of 2006, during meetings to develop the IMPACT 2012 Business Action Plan, 72 business, government and education leaders gathered and identified the impact of the Valdosta City and Lowndes County school systems on community development as a key factor in future growth for the area.

The full report may be viewed online at the Chamber’s Web site www.valdostachamber.com.

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Survey Results

1. In which community would businesses be more likely to form school-business partnerships (e.g. mentoring programs, volunteer programs, school adoption programs)?

18.5 percent answered two school systems

81.5 percent answered a unified school system