Jordan Barela/Times-Enterprise Cairo High School College and Career Academy CEO Todd Gainous led a tour of the facility's construction. 

CAIRO — Tuesday was a busy day in Cairo for Georgia’s top educator. 

Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods visited Cairo on Tuesday, meeting with Grady County school officials and touring construction at Cairo High School’s College and Career Academy Center and Southside Elementary School. 

District 11 state Sen. Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge) and District 173 state Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) also met with Grady educators. 

“At the end of the day, we’re about children,” Woods said. “You will determine the success at your schools.” 

The superintendent added, “I look forward to see what’s gong on in Cairo.” 

Principals and administrative staff at each Grady County school presented plans for the new school year. 

New school plans include: 

• Eastside Elementary: increased recess and movement for student exercise, reading initiative called “Who’s Reading,” and looking into expanding fine arts program. 

• Northside Elementary: increased focus on STEM programs, achieving overall theme of building a better world one person at a time. 

• Shiver Elementary: teaching students in a culture of kindness, each fourth-eighth grade student will receive a copy of the novel “Wonder,” as part of school-wide reading lesson. 

• Southside Elementary: starting in the newly-renovated campus at the beginning of the new school year, update on 18 fourth grade students having one teacher for all subjects the past school year and continuing the program in fifth grade. 

• Whigham School: reading and math initiatives, Project Lead the Way grant for seventh grade robotics program. 

• Washington: focus on building solid foundation for students before entering Cairo High School, focus on the school’s different academies, different STEM programs and classes. 

• Cairo High School: launching the ninth grade academy, planning for possible future academies such as fine arts and business, health care and science, updates on the College and Career center and future renovation for more Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) space. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.