Fuller’s golden voyage to old school Las Vegas. Page A4.
See what’s happening in the community with Betty Hayes. Page A10.
DADEVILLE’S TOLBERT TO REPRESENT STATE AT MLB’S RBI WORLD SERIES, PAGE B1.
THE RECORD
Serving the Dadeville & Lake Martin area since 1897
WWW.THEDADEVILLERECORD.COM
VOL. 118, NO. 30
DHR seeks new home from county commission
Board puts Crayton on paid leave Action taken after arrest on sex charges By David Granger Record Staff Writer
At a specially called meeting, the Tallapoosa County School Board voted unanimously Thursday morning to place a longtime Tallapoosa County Schools employee on administrative leave with pay after allegations that he had sex with a student. After some discussion, the board voted 5-0 to place Jerel Crayton, 36, of Jacksons Gap on paid administrative leave “pending adjudication of the underlying criminal charges.” In addition, Crayton must turn in his keys to Dadeville Elementary School, is not permitted on any Tallapoosa County Schools property and may not contact any staff, students or parents of students within the system, according to the certified letter mailed to Crayton Thursday to notify him of the board’s action. Crayton was arrested on Monday and charged with one count of a school employee engaging in a sex See ARREST, Page A9
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015
Cliff Williams / The Record
Aidan Fuller, 4, of Dadeville reaches up for an autograph from Spiderman’s friend Justin Crenshaw after climbing up on the table at Tuesday’s Super Hero Costume Party at the Dadeville Public Library. The event closed out the 2015 Summer Reading Program.
It’s a heroes welcome as Dadeville’s Summer Reading Program wraps up By Cliff Williams Record Staff Writer
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman! That famous comic strip and movie line could be heard in Dadeville this week as the Dadeville Public Library closed out its summer reading program called “Every Hero has a Story” with a Super Hero Costume Party. “We have had a pretty good turn out this summer,” Dadeville Public Library Director Abbi Mangarelli said. “We have had five programs with good attendance.” Tuesday’s costume party had four spe-
cial guests who took time off from work to visit the children in attendance. Superman’s friend Branden Fuller was there as was Batman’s friend Ryan Wesson, Spiderman’s friend Justin Crenshaw and Thor’s friend Cody Parker. “They all took half-days off from work to do this,” Fuller’s mom Teri Fuller said. Spiderman even had a small version of himself at the program. Aidan Fuller, 4, who came dressed as Spiderman started to climb up on the table to get close to the heroes as they signed autographs. See HEROES, Page A2
Official outlines plan where county would just supply site By Mitch Sneed Record Editor
Imagine two people and their desks “in offices no larger than a broom closets.” That’s the way the building that houses Tallapoosa County offices Department of Human Services was described to the Tallapoosa County Commissioners Monday. Alabama DHR Commissioner for Administrative Joel Marsh Services Joel Marsh made a presentation to the commissioners, making a case for a new facility for DHR. “The current building is just not meeting our needs anymore,” Marsh said. “It’s simply too See COMMISSIONERS, Page A5
Reeltown earns high marks in U.S. News rankings By David Granger Record Staff Writer
Mitch Sneed / The Record
Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendant Joe Windle expressed pride in the Reeltown rankings.
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Reeltown High School is one of almost 4,000 high schools nationally and 108 in Alabama recognized by U.S. News and World Report after a study of 19,753 high schools by the news publication and the North Carolina-based global nonprofit social science research firm RTI International. Reeltown was the only Tallapoosa County school recognized by the publication, which required that students at the school perform statistically better than students statewide, disadvantaged students at the school perform
Record Staff Writer
Lake Levels
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way they are preparing those students who are looking to college, but also those that may not have the opportunity to go to college.” Alabama was among three states– along with Minnesota and South Dakota – that did not give U.S. News permission to use their schools’ Advanced Placement data. High Schools in Alabama and Minnesota were rated on international baccalaureate test data. South Dakota had no international baccalaureate test data. Data from the study showed Reeltown with math proficiency score of 3.2 and a reading proficiency of 3.0. See REELTOWN, Page A5
Camp ASCCA still changing lives, making memories By Cliff Williams
Lake Martin
statistically better than economically disadvantaged students statewide and students meet benchmarks for college readiness test data. “After looking at their methodology, I’m very proud of Reeltown High School, the faculty, the staff and the students,” said Joe Windle, superintendent of Tallapoosa County Schools. “It’s very impressive to be selected a U.S. News & World Report Bronze Medal high school and to be ranked among the top 108 high schools in the state.” “The ranking is based on math and reading scores and I like the fact that it gives schools credit not only for the
Teenagers have been spending summers on Lake Martin for decades creating memories and overcoming fears. From boating, fishing and tubing to zip lining, hanging out and canoeing to the dance on the last night of camp. One such camp on the lake is no different – Camp ASCCA. Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults has been around since 1976 serving children and adults with disabilities. Touring Camp ASCCA one quickly notices that the camp is no different than any other summer camp. The
thing that is different is the number of wheels. If you are walking, you might find yourself in the minority as everyone travels by at least four wheels. Children flying through the air, grinning and laughing along the way on the zip line having just conquered a fear of heights and leaving the comfort of a wheelchair behind with the help of counselors and camp staff. One such camp staffer is Alexander City native Katie Martin who is working her first summer this year at Camp Cliff Williams / The Record ASCCA. Callie Miller of Hartselle dances with a camper at the prom “I have been knowing that Camp where even a prom king and queen were crowned. The ASCCA was here for a long time,” camp has been serving children with disabilities since 1976. See CAMP, Page A8
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