Paulding County has outsourced its summer school to Libertyville, Ill.-based Ombudsman Educational Services.

“We moved to this because it saves money and because students can take more courses and they can do those courses online,” said Eddie Fincher, executive director of Paulding High School operations.

Another advantage is Ombudsman offers more variety of recovery courses the district does not have, he said.

“Last year one school needed a course and we didn’t offer it,” said Fincher. “This way students can recover those course they failed.”

Ombudsman courses cost $200 per course. Students were paying between $200 and $250 for summer school when it was handled in the district.

But the money transferring from the district to Ombudsman, isn’t hurting the district, Brian Otott, assistant superintendent of operations, said.

Ombudsman offers courses for middle and high school students. Students who have failed classes have to apply to Ombudsman through their counselors or graduation coaches.

This year Fincher said there are between 60 and 80 students trying to get into the Ombudsman summer program.

Last year, 200 students were in summer school through the district.

“The numbers have decreased because we offer ways for students to do credit recovery during the school year,” said Fincher. “They can make up classes before or after school and we are very excited about it.”

But for those few who need to take some summer recovery courses they will have the opportunity to take them during one of two sessions offered.

The first session runs through June 30. Middle school times are from 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and applications can be picked up from their school counselors.

Registration for the high school session has already closed.

The second session begins July 6 through July 24. Times for middle school are 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. High school times are 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration for high school will be held on July 2 and July 3 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Ombudsman has two locations in the county. The location for middle school students is at 45 Enterprise Path in Hiram.

The location for the high school students is located at 4075 Marietta Hwy in Dallas.

For more information, call the Paulding County School District at (770) 443-8000 or visit www.paulding.k12.ga.us or www.ombudsman.com for Ombudsman Educational Services information.