Houston County Schools announces app, new buses at board of education meeting

PERRY—The Houston County Board of Education is selling 26 busses, adding a new batch to the fleet, and unveiling a mobile app and teacher council, according to announcements and actions taken at their latest meeting on July 8.

A shorter meeting due to summer break, Superintendent Dr. Richard Rogers wished a restful break for all students, then jumped into the superintendent’s report.

“We continue to work on plans for the school year and are excited about what we will accomplish, because together, we can. That’s our theme this year,” he said.

According to Rogers, the district’s summer feeding program will continue through July 18.

“Our food and nutrition staff have done a wonderful job again this year, and the smiling faces of the students and families recieving the services reminds us of why we’re here,” he said.

More information about the program can be found here.

The district is also excited to unveil a new mobile app. Rogers said the app is meant to streamline communication between schools and families; he reported close to 6,000 downloads and positive feedback.

The app is available by searching “Houston County School District” in the App Store or Google Play.

Rogers also mentioned the creation of a Teacher Advisory Council, meant to strengthen connections between teachers and leadership. Jade Thomas, the district’s Teacher of the Year, will lead the initiative, and the council will be composed of 40 teachers across the district, who will meet four times a year to discuss challenges and topics.

“I’m so excited about this initiative and how it can help shape our framework and nurture relationships for the benefit of our students and the entire district. We want to hear the teachers’ voices, and this is going to be a good way for us to do it this year,” Rogers said.

Rogers also highlighted New Teacher Orientation, scheduled for July 21 and July 22. He said the district will welcome around 250 new teachers. Upcoming events include the district’s opening session on July 23, several meet and greets, and the beginning of the school year on July 30.

In new business, the board approved the continuation of a 1% sales and use tax. According to district documents, the maximum cost of projects would be $275 million. If approved by voters in November, collection of the new ESPLOST will begin in April 2027.

Post 4 Board Member Jon Nichols said the ESPLOST’s impact is apparent in new facilities, such as schools, fields, gyms and stadiums.

“I am so thankful that — not me — but we have a school board and a forward thinking board of education purchasing department, financial department, educators that have come up to the board and put their minds together as to which way this school district should move. I’m thankful to be a smidgen of that,” Post 4 Board Member Jon Nichols said.

Finally, the board approved a purchase of 13 new Blue Bird busses, and will be selling 26 from the fleet. According to board documents, the new busses will cost just over $2 million; the older busses, deemed surplus due to age, condition and mileage, will be sold through GOVDeals.com.

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Board Office in Perry. 

The full agenda of this meeting can be found here.