Board of Education celebrates AP Scholars, hears concerns in recent meeting

PERRY — The Houston County Board of Education recognized the many students who were AP scholars while also hearing a few concerns from the public in the most recent meeting. 

The Board acknowledged visitors in attendance including Bonaire Middle School, CB Watson Primary, Centerville Elementary, Eagle Springs Elementary and Northside Elementary. 

Each school principal brought their Teacher of the Year along with a few of their star students. 

“Thank you to all of our principals for introducing us to these students and teachers as this is truly the most special time of our meetings,” Board Chair Helen Hughes said. “We always look forward to seeing and hearing about our special students.” 

The Board then celebrated the many students who scored a 5 on their AP exams. 

“We had so many students score a perfect score of 5 that we needed two board meetings to fit everybody in the room,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Scott said. 

Houston County High School, Northside High School and Warner Robins High School students scored perfect on their Advanced Placement exams. 

Board member Jon Nichols shared his congratulations to the Houston County School District for having 252 students score 5 on their AP exams. 

“We have a lot of students in this county and in our high schools that are working very hard to meet their goals, and I’m proud of each one of you, but not only am I proud of you, but I’m proud of you principals, assistant principals, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, next door neighbors and your peers. All of you have worked hard to try and help that student excel,” Nichols said. “I’m proud of you and thankful that you come from my county and that you are a part of my family because here in Houston County, you are part of my family.”

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark started his Superintendent’s Report by congratulating Feagin Mill Middle School on being named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon school. 

“There are only 10 schools in Georgia to receive this designation. They were recognized as an exemplary high performing school which means they were among Georgia’s highest performing schools measured by the State assessments,” he said. “Feagin Mill Middle School is the seventh school in Houston County to receive this designation, and at least one school from our District has received this award for the past three years in a row. Mr. [Mark] Sams from Feagin Mill will go to Washington D.C. to accept this award.” 

Scott also mentioned Houston County outperformed the nation and the state for the eighth consecutive year. 

“The class of 2024 earned a mean total score of 1054 which is 24 points above the State score and 59 points higher than the national mean,” he said. 

Flu shots will be available and free for all students and employees starting October 15 through November 14. 

“This is a convenient way for our students and staff to stay healthy, and we greatly appreciate the work of our school nurses, medtechs and the Health Department,” he said. 

Scott also highlighted six students across the Houston County School District who won awards in the 2024 Plains Peanut Festival Postcard contest and the campus dedication and ribbon cutting of the new Matt Arthur Primary School. 

“Matt Arthur Primary School serves approximately 520 students in grades Pre-K through second grade. We look forward to seeing the amount of growth and learning that will take place there at Matt Arthur Primary,” he said. 

To end the report, Scott mentioned a few special dates coming up this month.

Houston County Band Night will be held at Freedom Field on October 22 at 7 p.m. 

Scott said the month of October is National Physical Therapy Month and National Principals Month.

Other notable dates this month include:

• October 7-11: Fire Prevention Week, 
• October 10: World Audiologist Day, 
• October 14-18: National School Lunch Week,
•  October 16: Health Tech Appreciation Day and National Boss’s Day,
•  October 21: Georgia School Bus Driver and Bus Monitor Appreciation Day 
• October 21-25: National School Bus Safety Week
• October 23-31: National Red Ribbon Week 
• October 28: National First Responders Day

Fall Break for the Houston County School District will be from October 7 to 11, and October 14 will be a student holiday. 

Persons Addressing the Board 

Mr. Daryl Vining and Reverend Josh B. Kirvin Sr. addressed the Board and shared their concerns. Vining and Kirvin spoke at a previous meeting about the disqualification and reinstatement of no newly elected Board member Clyde Jackson. 

Vining and Kirvin are still seeking answers on who should be held accountable for these actions. 

“I do believe the public deserves an answer about that, and who was responsible for having the embarrassment brought on Mr. Jackson and his wife publicly on the news,” Vining said. “If someone is responsible, they should be held accountable.” 

Kirvin also urged the Board to be diligent in the search for the New Superintendent of Schools while sharing concerns about the Board itself. 

“The process should lend itself to inviting interest from the most qualified and experienced persons in the State of Georgia and beyond, however, this Board is fraught with controversy, dishonesty, nepotism and possible illegalities,” he said. 

Kirvin said this search has not been transparent and has not been characterized by integrity. He also states that there should be more requirements for hiring the new superintendent. 

Kirvin shared that the requirements of the next superintendent of the Houston County School Board of Education is only for them to be a resident for Board policy and cannot have immediate family members serving on the Board or employed as an administrator in the school system after July 1, 2009, as required by Georgia law 20-2-101. 

“This is what you, the Board, has signed off on,” he said. “To show you the absurdity of this announcement, more is required of a school principal and a high school football coach than of the Superintendent. This is how you chose to represent us.” 

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held on Nov. 12 at 1100 Main St. in Perry. To look at the full agenda of the meeting go to simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4089&MID=120555