By FULLER ROYAL

As the new Southeastern Early College continues to take shape, the final three applicants for the school’s principal will be considered on Tuesday.
The SEC early college high school advisory board, representing the Whiteville City Schools, the Columbus County Schools and Southeastern Community College, will meet with the applicants and try to pick one by early June.

SEC is still looking for qualified students to form its first freshman class.

Whiteville City Schools Superintendent Danny McPherson said that the total applications for the school are above 40 and that more are expected, especially once school is out for summer. “We’re hoping for at least 60 applicants so we can select approximately 50 students,” he said.

SEC must have at least 50 students this year and 100 students next year to qualify for a state-funded principal.

One year ago, both school systems and the community college were just beginning to look at the project. A grant had been awarded allowing the three school entities to hire a consultant to determine if an early college high school was possible and to help write the funding application for SEC.

The schools, which are starting to spring up across the state, are the results of a project instigated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and adopted by Gov. Mike Easley.

SEC is designed for students who don’t quite fit into the traditional school environment.

Students will mix with college students and college courses and be able to complete the school’s five-year program with not only a high school diploma but also an associate’s degree.

Earlier this year, the State Board of Education signed off on the project, forwarding startup money for a principal at SEC.

The remaining funding will not be approved until the General Assembly votes on the 2006-07 budget. McPherson said he doesn’t see any problems with the final approval and funding of SEC.