Jordan Barela/Times-Enterprise Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Evans, center, meets with Cairo High School Principal Chris Lokey, left, at the Vanlandingham Center on Monday. Evans also met with other Grady County school principals and administrators. Also pictured is Grady County Board of Education member Laura Register, right. 

CAIRO — Grady school officials got the chance to lend their voice to a governor hopeful Monday morning. 

Former state Rep. Stacey Evans (D-Smyrna), also seeking the governor’s seat to replace Nathan Deal in 2018, met with Grady school system principals and administrators at the Vanlandingham Center. 

“I’d love to hear what’s going well,” Evans said, telling school officials “don’t be shy” in requesting help from the state. 

Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gillard noted the school system recently awarded scholarships through the Georgia REACH program, the first time for the school district. 

“It was exciting to be a part of that,” he said. 

Gillard said there shouldn’t be both a Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and Department of Education in relation to College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) testing standards. 

“That index changes every year,” he said of testing standards, adding he believed the community should decide what standards a student meets on CCRPI, not the state. 

Shiver Elementary Principal Todd Jones discussed the upcoming launch of a school aquaponics program. 

“We’re looking forward to that,” he said. 

Jones also noted the schoolwide reading of “Wonder,” and a grant to the school that provided each third through eighth grader a copy of the book. 

“It’s really hitting home,” Jones said. 

Chris Lokey, Cairo High School principal, informed Evans of the high school’s new ninth grade academy. 

“What we want to do in that academy is assist the students,” Lokey said, adding it provides a “safety net” for ninth graders. 

Lokey also said Cairo High is planning two additional academies, one for fine arts and the other for agriculture. 

“The biggest thing is we need to let the kids know we care about them as educators,” he added. 

Washington Middle School Principal Tilda Brimm also noted the importance of specialized academies. Washington Middle’s academies, Brimm said, are in place “so that they (students) easily transfer to Cairo High School.” 

The middle school also is planning on constructing a greenhouse. 

“We’re doing the groundwork for it now,” Brimm said. 

Washington Middle also is working toward becoming STEM-certified. 

“The STEM project is really, really big at Washington right now,” Brimm said. 

Like Washington Middle School, Northside Elementary School also is interested in becoming a STEM school, said Principal Dr. Cheryl Larkins. 

Larkins, also in her first year as Northside principal, noted the need for a technology and computer requirement for students. 

“It’s not a requirement right now,” Larkins said, also noting the prevalence of technology in the workforce. 

Mark Willis, Whigham Elementary School principal, discussed the school’s agriculture program, pointing to the importance of agriculture in Grady County. 

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Kevin Strickland addressed a shortage in teachers coming to Grady County, along with the average age of applicants changing from early-20s to mid-30s. Brimm also noted the importance of Grady County schools staying competitive to draw in younger families back to the county. 

“I’m just in awe with what y’all do,” Evans said to the school officials. 

Evans, a Ringgold native, said she knows the education challenges in rural Georgia communities. 

“I’m committed to solving these problems,” she said. 

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