Matt Gay Chevrolet donates car for driver’s education

From left, David Gay of Matt Gay Chevrolet in Sylvania presents the key to a 2006 Malibu Max to Jenkins County School Superintendent Joan Blackwood and Jenkins County Board of Education Chairman Carroll Gay. The vehicle was donated to Jenkins County High School for use in the school’s driver’s education program to begin in January. “I wanted to give the kids something they would be interested in driving,” said Matt Gay of the donation. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

The Jenkins County Board of Education is pleased to announce that beginning in January, Jenkins County High School (JCHS) will offer three classes of driver’s education. A vehicle has been secured for the course through the generosity of Matt Gay Chevrolet in Sylvania. Ray Miller, director of administrative services, is a certified driver’s education instructor and will teach the course. Consideration is also being given to a possible summer school offering.

Teaching teens how to drive safely is critical. Each year more and more young lives are devastated simply because of bad decisions. The State of Georgia recognized the seriousness of the problem and enacted Joshua’s Law which mandates that all 16-year-olds seeking to obtain a Class D license complete an approved driver’s education course. They must also complete a total of 40 hours of supervised driving, six hours of which must be at night, with a parent or guardian’s sworn verification that these requirements have been met. This law becomes effective Jan. 1.

Because of limited class size, priority will be given by JCHS to those students who turn 16 between Jan 1 and May 31, 2007 and those students who are already 16 years of age, have not received a driver’s license and will not turn 17 before May 31, 2007. Students who fall into this category and have a valid learner’s permit will be given the opportunity to take the course which will consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of “behind the wheel” training, monitored and recorded by the instructor. Parents should note that students will also need an additional 40 hours of supervised driving experience (six of these hours must be supervised night driving) which they may provide to their children.

Parents and students should be aware that students may not apply for or keep a driver’s permit or license if they withdraw from school, if under age 18, have a total of 10 unexcused absences or have any conduct infractions.

Requirements to be eligible to enroll in the driver’s education course that will begin in January are as follows:

 Students must be on track for graduation;

 Students must have a valid learner’s permit/instructional permit/Class CP;

 Students must reach their 16th birthdays between Jan. 1 and May 31, 2007 or already be 16, have not received a driver’s license and will not turn 17 before May 31, 2007;

 If demand for the course exceeds available space, students will be enrolled in the course based on birthday with older students receiving priority in the order of birth date; and

 Students may not take this elective course unless it fits into their schedule, as the school’s goal is for students to graduate on time, and this course is not required for graduation.

Local citizens are encouraged to let David Gay of Matt Gay Chevrolet in Sylvania know much his generous donation of a vehicle is appreciated. School officials feel that strong community support is a

foundational piece of any good school system but is even more valuable for a small system.

For additional information, please feel free to call 478- 982-6000 or 982-4791.