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Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 in Local

Photo by Winston Skinner

Otis Jones III, current trustee chairman, left, and Guy Arnall, the first trustee chairman, cut a cake at the 40th anniversary celebrat ion for The Heri tage School Wednesday morning.

Heritage School at 40

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

The Heritage School celebrated its 40th anniversary Wednesday morning -- inviting about 200 former students, faculty and longtime supporters to a reception on the campus.

Sunny skies made the outdoor event comfortable. Judith Griffith, head of the school since 2003, spoke -- as did Otis Jones III, chairman of the current board of trustees, and Guy Arnall, one of the school's founders and the first trustee chairman.

Before and after the formal program, people visited and enjoyed refreshments. Arnall and Jones cut a cake that was modeled after a building on the private, college preparatory school's campus.

"Forty years is a big milestone in Heritage history," Griffith said. "We have arrived, survived, and we have reached adulthood as a school."

Jones said Heritage is "a school that offers unmatched academic opportunities" with "committed and supportive" teachers and a full complement of athletic and artistic opportunities. He said a feasibility study and architectural plans are being prepared for a new gymnasium, with a capital campaign to begin as soon as the economy moves forward.

There also are plans for a new fine arts building.

"Today the school finds itself in the best financial situation ever," Jones said. He said Heritage has no debt, funds its budget from current tuition and offers financial assistance "to deserving students." While he would like to see the endowment fund grow, he said it now stands at $1.4 million.

Arnall said Heritage began as a casual conversation in 1969 in the Central Baptist Church fellowship hall involving himself, his wife, Carolyn, and Dr. Jimmy Thomasson and his wife, Susie. The four were interested in starting a private school in Coweta County.

Evelyn and Will Haugen became the third couple in those early conversations, and "other families became involved," Arnall said.

Arnall contacted William Presley of the Westminster School in Atlanta. Presley met with Arnall several times and spoke at an organizational meeting in the community room of Manufacturer's National Bank. Presley donated his honorarium to the local school's fund.

"His advice and expertise were priceless," Arnall said.

A board was formed, and a goal of starting classes in September 1970 was set. The board set a non-discriminatory policy for admissions, decided the school would be non-denominational and placed "emphasis on quality in all areas of school life," Arnall recalled.

Carolyn Arnall, Evelyn Haugen and Susie Thomasson chose the name "Heritage." Will Haugen, an attorney, worked with the Internal Revenue Service to obtain tax exempt status for the school.

Mrs. Katie Arnall Freeman gave her 62-acre pecan orchard as a site for the school. Many large pecan trees remain on the school site.

"Aunt Katie had no children," Arnall said. He added, however, that all the children who have attended Heritage over the years have become her children "because of her generosity."

In the early months of 1970, Arnall said he was handling calls daily related to Heritage. George Keller from the Darlington School in Rome was hired as the first headmaster, and Keller hired Eleanor Bridges, who attended the ceremonies, as the school's first secretary.

Keller and Bridges set up an office at 14 E. Broad St. in space donated by the Thomassons. At that site, plans were made for opening day. Teachers were hired, and desks, books and materials were ordered. The curriculum was put in place.

Tuition the first year was $750 with an optional $200 donation to the building fund. The school opened with 134 students in grades 1-8.

Arnall noted there were three buildings when Heritage opened -- an administration building/library and buildings for the upper and lower school. Those facilities are still in use for "essentially the same purposes."

There is some discussion about the exact number of faculty and staff with which Heritage started. Griffith said there were either 11, 12 or 13. The are now 49 faculty, plus other staff.

The school has expanded its athletic offerings to "a full athletic program," Griffith said. "Our facilities have grown with our programs."

Griffith spoke of three previous heads of school as mentors -- Dennis Brown, Mary Ben Christiansen and Tommy Hudgins. Brown and Hudgins were present for the anniversary gathering.

"Dennis has a commitment to international students that is still going on today," Griffith said. "We have students from 22 countries on campus."

She talked about Christiansen's commitment to the fine arts and noted music theory will be added as an Advanced Placement class at Heritage next year.

In the past 40 years, Heritage has had more than 500 graduates. While they live all over the world, Griffith noted many have remained in the local area and sent their own children to Heritage.

Carly Davis was the first alumni child to graduate from Heritage in 2001. There currently are 48 children of alumni among the student body of 402.

The 2009 graduating class of 42 was Heritage's largest. There are 39 seniors this year.

Jones noted a consultant told trustees that private schools need stability to grow, explaining that Griffith was hired from a faculty position at Heritage. She had taught there since 1984.

"Judy Griffith was not only a logical choice, she's proven to be the best choice," he said, eliciting applause.

Griffith paid tribute to the founders of the school. "What a vision you set for us," she said. "We have retained the spirit of Heritage that came with those first founding families and their students."

Traditions are important at the school. "The traditions that were started by those founding families were good ones. They were in the spirit of the school," Griffith said.

"This is a very inspiring place," Guy Arnall said.

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