The Clarke County School Board talked last night about privatizing the SOAR Academy, an alternative school for students with disciplinary problems. Clarke County School Superintendent Phil Lanoue has proposed privatization as a money-saving measure. Lanoue is looking at the Nashville-based Ombudsman Education Services and a $1.2 million contract. A School Board decision could come as early as next week.  

UGa President Michael Adams says the prospect of deeper state budget cuts does not, for now, impact funding for the University of Georgia-Medical College of Georgia collaboration. In fact, Dr. Adams says the current budget plans call for an additional $900,000 in funding for the training of medical students in Athens. The first students are due to begin their medical training in August, at temporary site at first and then later on the grounds of the soon-to-be vacant Navy Supply Corps School in Normaltown.

The 47^th Southeastern Business and Marketing Education Conference begins today at the University of Georgia. The two-day gathering is sponsored by UGa's College of Education. It wraps up tomorrow at the Georgia Center.

The University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is sponsoring the Winter Press Institute that gets underway today at the Classic Center. Newspaper staffers from around the state are taking part.

University of Georgia President Michael Adams is defending the hefty salary increase granted UGa Athletic Director Damon Evans. The Board of the University of Georgia Athletic Association voted earlier this week to boost Evans' pay by $90,000 per year, bringing his annual salary to $550,000. President Adams says that's in line with the average salary for Athletic Directors in the Southeastern Conference.