Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany hosts education summit

MCLB-ALBANY — Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany hosted its annual education summit on Thursday evening for the military and civilian parents who work aboard the installation.

The event was in the base’s Town and Country Ballroom and included superintendents from public schools in Dougherty, Lee and Worth counties, as well as special education directors and headmasters from Byne Christian School, Deerfield-Windsor School, Sherwood Christian Academy and St. Teresa’s Catholic School.

“The purpose was for military families to decide the schools they want their children in,” said Natalie Knox Tomblin, education services officer for Marine Corps Community Services onboard the installation.

A new addition this year was a representative from the South Georgia Homeschool Association. Each panelist spoke about his or her respective schools before a question/answer session.

“This was our third year doing it, and it was quite successful,” Tomblin said.

When a service member assignment changes, the whole family moves with them. Tomblin said these transitions result in a new family on the base each month.

“They have a choice, and we want them to know they have a choice,” she said.

The education services officer said this year’s event was well-received and continues to grow from year to year.

“Those families were so glad we had this event, because this is not something every base does,” she said.

New resources were added to this year’s event, including financial aid and SAT books — which Tomblin said officials intend to continue distributing to families and school counselors.

The MCCS also offers tours of the school campus to families. Any parent working aboard MCLB who was unable to attend Thursday’s summit or needs further information may call (229) 639-7497.