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(Publication Number USES 534-720) I44th YEAR, NO. 25 THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 1 SECTION, 8 PAGES 50 CENTS PER COPY Lin lb I ’ \ L 1 I ' 1 —|—4 j 1 | IT Jg* i m. jM .■.-•IT* ■ j, V ; ■ k f u 1 Am Flint Energies Donates Red Maple To City Of Reynolds For Arbor Day In honor of Arbor Day, Flint Energies donated a beautiful red maple tree to the City of Reynolds. The City of Reynolds would like to give a special thank you to Mike Brooks, Building Maintenance Technician for Flint Energies, who selected the tree, as well as dug the hole and planted the tree. A special thank you, as well, goes out to Hannah Sloan, Community Connections Specialist for Flint Energies, for coordinating tk is event for Flint Energies and the City of Reynolds, Pictured accepting the tree on the City’s behalf (lower) are Reynolds Police Chief Lonnie Holder; Mayor Butch Turner; City Clerk Brian Smisson, Mike Brooks, and Scott Jones, Public Works Director Pictured hard at work (top) are Chief Holder and Public Works Director Jones, as Mayor Turner provides supervision. Alabama Man Charged With Possession Of A Controlled Substance In Reynolds According to Reynolds Police Chief Lonnie J. Holder, on June 18th, the Reynolds Police De partment arrested and charged Deon Jakes, a 27 year old male ofPhenlxCityAL, with Posses sion of a Controlled Substance (Ecstasy) With Intent to Dis tribute, Possession of a Drug Related Object, Possession of Marijuana, and Speeding, 73 mph in a 50 mph speed zone. ■ Butler Garden Club Yard Of The Month The Butler Garden Club Yard of the Month for June is the landscape of Lynn Morrell* The landscape features elephant ears, coleus, petunias, roses, and gerbera daisies. A soothing fountain completes the vignette. This yard can be viewed at 52 Whatley Street in Reynolds. The Butler Garden Club Yard of the Month is a monthly feature of and is chosen by, the Butler Garden Club. School Board Informed Of Additions To Automotive Program By VALORI MOORE Editor The Taylor County Board of Education met for the regular monthly meeting on June 14th. CharHe Smith opened the meet ing with the Invocation* Mr. Smith is a Deacon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Superintendent Jennifer Albritton offered condolences to State Representative Patty Bentley on the recent loss of her husband. Darryl, and to the fam ily of the late Bobbette Harper, who was a vital pail of the Cen tral Office staff as the Payroll and CPI Coordinator. The Automotive Program at the high school has added in struction, and CTAE Director Michelle Kimble and Automo tive teacher Chris Cox provided an overview of the new pro grams. Sixteen students are enrolled in a two-week summer automo tive camp for females. Mr. Chris Cox and Ms. Jessica Williams coordinated the program, and the program went very well. Also, the automotive program has partnered with Blue Bird Corporation in Fort Valley for an Automotive Technician Pro gram, The program is online, with hands-on instruction pro vided at the bus bam. If stu dents pass all assessments for the program, they will be Blue Bird certified for tw'o years and offers of employment will be at an increased pay scale, Taylor County is the only county out side of Peach County to utilize this program. Around 40 stu dents are expected to enroll in the new program. Director of Technology Denton Wainwright has secured a $25,000 award from the Georgia Foundation for Pub lie Education for a firewall and access points at the new school. Also, the Board adopted the FY 2021-2022 tentative budget. The budget passed with no prop erty tax increase. The Board approved a new Spanish curriculum, which will be paid with ESPLOST (Educa tion Special Purpose Local Op tion Sales Tax) funds. A profes sional development opportunity for staff and parental engage ment was also approved, to be paid with Title 1 and CARESAct funding* Plus* the Board approved the salary and supplemental sched ules for employees who perform supplemental duties. The 2021-2022 school calendar was updated. Graduation will be held on May 28th, after the final day of school. The 2020- 2021 school calendar was amended to include the March 18th weather day. Policy GARI1 was tabled for a 30-day review period. This policy was approved by the Geor gia School Board Association and is required by the State to offer paid parental leave, up to 120 hours, for full time staff, for qualifying life events. Policy IDE(3) was also tabled until next month. This policy arises from the passage of the Dexter Moseley Act in the Geor gia State Senate* It allows homeschooled students to par ticipate in extracurricular activi ties and sports. These students must lx? enrolled in at least one course at Taylor County Schools. These students must inform the school of their intention to par ticipate 30 days before a semes ter begins. Board Member Wayne Mclnvale noted that graduation went great, and he appreciates everyone’s input and help, Followi ng the regular meeting, the Board went into executive session to discuss substitutes, personnel, and the Superinten dent Evaluation. Miss June The Taylor County News Calendar Girl for June is Kiley Edna Thaxton. Kiley is a 2021 Honor Graduate of Taylor County High School, where she was a member of Beta Club and was voted Best Personality Settlor Superlative by her classmates. She plans to attend Georgia Southern Univer sity to major in Exercise Science to become a physical thera pist. She attends Bethel Congregational Methodist Ch urch. Kiley is the daughter of Dale and Lynn Thaxton of Butler. She has a sister; Kasey Kirksey, and a brother; Bruce Thaxton. Her grandparents are the late Jack and Edna Thaxton of Butler, the late Jo Ann Hopson of Butler, and the late Glenn Hopson of Lizella. The Calendar Girl is a monthly feature of Taylor County High School and The Taylor County News. Calendar Girls are chosen based on academics, extracurricular activities, personality, and char acter. Mr. June Brandctn Davis is The Taylor County News Calendar Guy for June. Brandan is a 2021 Honor Graduate of Taylor County High School, where he was a member of Key Club, FCA, and Beta Club, He was a member of the Viking Foot- ball Team and was named to the 1st Team All Region his senior year and the 2nd Team All Region his junior year. He is also a member of the golf team. He plans to attend South Georgia Technical College to complete the lineman program. Brandan is the son of Matt and Stephanie Davis of Butler. He has a sister, Lizzie Davis, and a brother Robbie Da vis. His grandparents are Becky Ha rris of Warner Rob ins and Arthur Pearson of Woodbury 1 . The Calendar Guy is a monthly feature of The Taylor County News and Tay lor County High School. Calendar Guys are chosen based on academics, extracurricular activities, personality, and character.