The new College and Career Institute (CCI) has named 12 of 17 members to its board of directors with the Aug. 6 school opening date only two weeks away.

“The board will oversee CCI operations and will act as a liaison with the boards of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Douglas County School System and West Georgia Technical College (WGTC),” said Julian Carter, CEO of CCI. “The board will meet on the second Tuesday of every other month.”

The remaining five members of the board will be named from each of the county’s high schools after the 2009-2010 school year starts, Carter said.

The school is a joint venture of the Douglas County School System, WGTC and the Chamber, representing the local business community. It is a charter high school which will offer Douglas County high school juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old, a chance to earn dual credits for both high school and college. About 160 high schools students have enrolled for the fall semester. The $9.5 million building on the WGTC Douglasville campus is being constructed with funds from the county school system and WGTC through the Technical College System of Georgia. Students will attend classes in other WGTC classrooms until building construction is completed in late September.

In addition to vocational training, students will learn work ethics, including attendance and tardiness, character, teamwork, appearance, attitude, cooperation and respect.

CCI academic programs will include auto tech, computer assisted drafting (CAD), computer information systems, cosmetology, dental assisting, early childhood development, welding, graphic arts, healthcare science, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), law enforcement, patient care assisting, patient care tech, pharmacy assisting and video production.

The Douglas County Board of Education (BOE) Monday night approved 12 members of the 17-member CCI board of directors. Members include one representative each from the school system, WGTC and the Chamber, two at-large members, two large business members and five small business members, representing trades to be taught at CCI.

The board members and their affiliation named so far include:

• Robert Brown, executive director of high school programs, Douglas County School System;

• Pat Hannon, vice president of academic affairs, WGTC;

• Kali Kirkham Boatright, CEO/president, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce;

• Don Moore, Moore Engineering;

• Allen DeNyse, marketing director, DeNyse Signs;

• Trey Dettmering, Thornton Chevrolet;

• Martha Seahorn, WellStar Douglas Hospital;

• Jerry Hall, Assured Comfort Heating and Air;

• Craig Bonds, chief financial officer, Southeast Cooler;

• Molly Golemo, Primrose@Brookmont;

• Nancy Chastain, cosmetology and hair care;

• and Dr. Eric Leithner, dentist.