Photo provided by Thomasville City Schools Thomasville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Laine Reichert, left, and State Superintendent Richard Woods, right, display a banner recognizing the district for receiving a $1.14 million grant to improve literacy. Woods presented the banner Tuesday at MacIntyre Park Middle School. 

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Georgia’s education chief spent a rainy Tuesday recognizing south Georgia school districts, including one of the City of Roses’ own.   

State Superintendent Richard Woods presented a banner to the city schools system for receiving a $1.14 million L4GA grant to improve literacy. 

“This is a great day for Georgia,” Woods said. “Reading is the gateway to anywhere you want to go in life.” 

Superintendent Dr. Laine Reichert said the grant is an “amazing opportunity” for the Thomasville City Schools. 

The grant, Reichert pointed out, could not be attained without partnering with the community and the hard work from district staff in applying for the state funds. 

“It’s just phenomenal to improve literacy throughout our entire community,” she added. 

Thomas County Schools also was awarded a L4GA grant, or Literacy for Learning, Living, and Leading in Georgia. The county school system was awarded $1.4 million. 

“You might not get along on a Friday night, but we’re still one Georgia,” Woods quipped. 

Woods also said the Georgia Department of Education is committed to improving literacy.  

The state superintendent visited school districts in Valdosta, Albany and Macon that were awarded a L4GA grant. 

“It opens up great opportunities for their children,” Woods said of the grant. 

A Tifton native, Woods referenced the small Georgia town’s title of “Reading Capital of the World.” 

“I hope we can say that for Georgia,” he said. 

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