Ombudsman Program Awards Diplomas

09 Jun 2009

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by Andrew Smith, Brunswick News

The Glynn County School System's Ombudsman program is working, says its leader. This year, 38 graduates received accredited diplomas, said Sara Giannakakis, director of the Ombudsman high school center. She said the ceremony May 26, attended by hundreds of parents, students and family friends and relatives, filled the Terrell Thomas Auditorium at College of Coastal Georgia.

"The parents were so excited and so proud of these children," Giannakakis said. "The students would not have gotten their high school diploma due to different circumstances, so it's really a big success."

In August 2008, the Glynn County School System outsourced to Ombudsman Educational Services, which provides alternative computer-based education to students who are faced with long-term suspension or expulsion and in danger of dropping out of school. Ombudsman Educational Services, a division of for-profit Educational Services of America, based in Nashville, Tenn., gives school systems an alternative competency-based curriculum for students who've been removed from their base high schools for discipline or other reasons.

The Ombudsman program in Glynn County operates at two sites, in the former Outlets Mall on Scarlet Road, near Interstate 95, for middle school students and hi Lanier Plaza, on U.S. 17 near the F.J. Torras Causeway, for high school students. While 34 students received their accredited Ombudsman diplomas, four others earned high school diplomas. Two walked at the Ombudsman graduation and two walked with their high school class.

Melinda Jacox, executive director of innovative programs for the school system, gave the commencement address to the graduates. She told the students, that with a diploma they have the control to determine their own future.

"What makes the Ombudsman diploma so special is that many of these students have made mistakes in past, but they have been given an opportunity to rescind their errors and move forward," Jacox said.

She said a number of students are pursuing post-secondary education, while others are entering the workforce or joining the military. Jacox said the success of the inaugural Ombudsman class will inspire younger students in the program.

"It lets them see there are more ways than one to achieve a goal," Jacox said. "It gives hope that they can realize the dream of earning a high school diploma."