The Houston County Board of Education met on Tuesday, August 10 for their regular meeting. The board spent the majority of the meeting recognizing students, faculty and staff for their achievements during the 2020-2021 school year. The board also set the 2021 millage rate.
The board welcomed visitors from the six 2021 Title 1 Reward winning schools. The representatives from Centerville, Eagle Springs, Morningside, Shirley Hills and Tucker Elementary Schools and Huntington Middle School each brought a teacher and student to help receive the schools’ awards. Each of the students that were presented exemplified the growth and excellence that each school is striving for.
Next, the board recognized the 4A One Act state champions from Perry High School and the 5A champions from Warner Robins High School as well as the WRHS football team for winning their state championship.
Coach Chris McCook thanked the board for staying ahead of the virus and making it possible for the team to make it to the state championship.
Houston County High School’s baseball team was also recognized for their state championship win.
“It was a great experience. It was a long road,” said Coach Matt Hopkins. “Our guys did a great job of knowing what was important and this is one of the best groups of kids I’ve ever coached.”
Superintendent of schools, Dr. Mark Scott, then recognized over 22 school nutrition directors who had achieved ten to 18 years of perfect health scores.
The board then moved on to their typical business meeting where they held the last public hearing for the millage rate. No one spoke against the millage rate that was officially set at 13.183 mils. It was announced that the new millage rate was the lowest rate since 2008.
At the conclusion of the meeting, two concerned parents approached the board to share their thoughts on mask mandates at the schools.
Kayei Unsworth said she was called by God to speak against any mask mandate at Houston County schools. Unsworth told the board she was grateful for the dropped mask mandates and that she hopes they continue to let parents decide whether or not to mask their children. “My freedoms and rights do not end where people’s fears begin,” she stated.
Joseph Pope, another parent of kids in the system, echoed the same concerns.
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