VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Board of Education approved a 1.5-megawatt solar array project for the transportation center. 

The solar array will be placed at the Valdosta City Schools transportation center by Radiance Solar, and the project will generate lease revenue for the school system for a 25-year lease at $30,000 a year. 

The solar project is part of the renewable energy development initiative program. The solar power generated will be sold to Georgia Power from Radiance Solar, the solar company leasing the VCS land. 

Raisin’ Cane recognized two VCS winners of the “My Farm and Working Forest” student artwork contest for pre-K through fifth grade during the recent city school board meeting. The artwork for the contest illustrated the student field trips to Raisin’ Cane. 

There were four winners and the two VCS winners were both from J.L. Lomax Elementary School. KeMarian Gayden was the third- through fourth-grade category winner, and his teacher is Sherie Vu. Jocelyn Whitfield was the fifth-grade category winner and her teacher is Sheila Robinson. 

Gayden and Whitfield were awarded $250 each, and their teachers were awarded $1,000 each. The checks presented featured the students’ winning artwork. 

According to a Raisin’ Cane press release, the contest was intended to show the value of farms and working forests through art. 

The Valdosta BOE will have a called meeting 12:30 p.m., Feb. 23, at 1204 Williams St. for a presentation on methods of bidding construction work. 

Kimberly Cannon is a Reporter with The Valdosta Daily Times. Her extension is 1376.