Hall County Schools is planning to launch an online SAT preparation course for 250 interested students prior to the March 9 opening of test season.

On. Feb. 7, a five-week online course will start with 90-minute webinars running every Thursday evening from 6:30-8.

“This is going to be a great resource for families,” said Will Schofield, the system’s superintendent.

Each session will be $5 or $20 for all five. Each webinar will be archived into a podcast, complete with audio and video, for those who cannot attend each course.

The series is open to 250 participants.

“We want to keep offering as many opportunities as we can,” Schofield said.

For more information, contact Laurie Ecke, the course’s moderator, at laurie.ecke@hallco.org.

Brenau names new VP for financial services
Brenau University has named a new vice president for financial services, serving as the overseer of the budget and cash flow for the institution.

Toby Hinton, a South Carolina native who is already on campus, replaces Sandra Thornton, who will retire on June 30.

Hinton previously served for 6« years on the staff of the Atlanta-based accounting firm Metcalf Davis CPAs, which is the university’s auditing firm.

There he specialized in working with nonprofit organizations, including colleges and universities.

“I know that Brenau is in good shape financially,” Hinton said, “and I want to be involved in continuing that tradition of excellence. As an auditor, I was always impressed by how well Brenau maintained records and provided accurate, complete information. I also enjoyed working with the people at Brenau.”

He graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., where, in addition to obtaining a degree, he also met his spouse. He and his wife, Suzanne, a native of Dunwoody, now live in Suwanee with their two sons, Cameron, 13, and Garrett, 9.

With a $45 million annual budget, Brenau has just undertaken a $6.5 million expansion program that involves conversion of a 35-year-old city-owned convention facility in Gainesville to be the home for graduate degree programs in physical therapy and other health sciences professions.

Lee Johnson covers education issues for The Times. Share your thoughts, news tips and questions with him:
ljohnson@gainesvilletimes.com, facebook.com/TimesLeeJohnson, @LeeJTimes