By Betsy Gilliland Enrollment in the Columbia County school system is below projections so far this year, but the student populations in Richmond and Aiken counties have topped predictions.

By Shelley Terry, Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio Jul. 12--ASHTABULA -- Ashtabula Area City School District students will have new opportunities through expanded curriculum and new textbooks.

Columbia County residents got their first look at the school system's rezoning proposal for its high schools Thursday. School administrators presented the proposal at a public hearing at Harlem High School to a crowd of about 100 people, who applauded the officials at the end of their presentation.

Few elementary schools could function without their Parent- Teacher Organization. Such support groups often become less active, or even nonexistent, at the high school level.

A year ago, no one knew who Evans High School graduation coach Lauren Swearingen was or what she was supposed to do. This year, however, she had people waiting for her on the first day of school. "I had parents calling and e-mailing," she said.