The City of Douglas, in partnership with action pact, Coffee County Commission, and Coffee County Board of Education (CCBOE) held the ribbon cutting for the Head Start and Early Head Start Expansion Project and Dedication of the Sandra “Gail” Johnson Building on Thursday, November 7, 2024. With the completion of the expansion project, the Coffee County Head Start program is now poised to meet the growing educational and nutritional needs of children in the community.
The ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony included remarks from community leaders, including representatives from action pact, the City of Douglas, CCOBE, and the Coffee County Commission. The building was dedicated and named in memory of Sandra “Gail” Johnson. Mayor Tony Paulk and Carolyn Robinson, family members of Sandra “Gail” Johnson, presented the building’s dedication address.
The building dedication plaque reads:
“On July 12, 1973, 13-year-old Sandra ‘Gail’ Johnson tragically drowned at the African-American public pool once located here. Gail, a bright and joyful young girl with dreams of becoming a teacher, left an enduring legacy. While Gail’s dreams of inspiring and educating children remain unfulfilled, her memory lives on. This building now stands as a beacon of hope, education, and the fulfillment of the promise Gail held in her heart. It highlights the strength, resilience, and unity of our community while serving as a reminder of her kindness, intelligence, and the bright future she envisioned for the children of Douglas and Coffee County.”
Attendees toured the expanded facility with new classrooms and a new kitchen following the ceremony.
The project was made possible through the collective partnership of action pact, the City of Douglas, Coffee County, and CCBOE. The architectural work for the project was led by J. Glen Gregory & Associates of Valdosta, with Statewide Engineering providing engineering services. Charles Lewis Construction served as the contractor for the project. The Southern Georgia Regional Commission administered the $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and matching contributions by action pact, the City of Douglas, County Commission, and CCBOE.