Letter: TCL offering help to ACE in good faith

The college was invited to the table by Beaufort and Jasper county officials to discuss possible solutions for ACE. TCL has since sincerely engaged in discussions as a partner to all parties. Our goal has always been to offer realistic and viable solutions that would well serve both the districts and our region.

TCL strongly advocates career and technical education for high school students. However, TCL's own career and technical education programs, expertise and experience are at the college level. The cornerstone of our proposal is developing dual-enrollment opportunities that can lead to students graduating high school with college credits and industry certification that lead to direct employment.

There are many details to be worked out; however, TCL entered the ACE discussion in good faith, working to offer solutions. This remains our goal.

In fact, TCL's plan will only work with wholehearted support from the community, local government and school districts and is dependent upon continued financial support from some, if not all, of these entities.

We look forward to working with these partners to find solutions. TCL's involvement will ensure that area high school students and beyond continue to have excellent options for career and technical education.

Richard J. Gough

TCL president

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 9:44 PM with the headline "Letter: TCL offering help to ACE in good faith."