Board of Education appoints new Chair and Vice-Chair, celebrate state and county winners

PERRY — In the first meeting of 2026, the Houston County Board of Education shuffled its leadership as former Vice-Chair Rick Unruh was appointed Chairman of the Board. 

“I want to thank my colleagues on the Board for the opportunity to serve in this role, and I will be looking to you for all the help that you’ve given throughout my experience,” Unruh said. “Thank you for the confidence you’ve placed in me for this role.”

Unruh pointed out in his 13 years of serving on the Board he has worked with three Board Chairs. He mentioned he has a lot to live up to while in this position. 

“One of my predecessors was Fred Wilson, and he often said that there’s no ‘I’ in team, and I believe that,” he said. “We work together and every member is vital, and I’m excited to work with this team and to work with each of you.”

The Board also appointed Dave Crockett as Vice-Chair. He said that 57 years ago, the Houston County Board of Education gave him a chance to serve and now another opportunity is in front of him to serve as Vice-Chair.  

“I appreciate your support and we’ll work together with Dr. Unruh and all of you as [we will] continue to do the best we can for our students here in Houston County,” he said. 

Crockett also thanked former Board Chair Helen Hughes for her service and leadership the past three years. 

Hughes provided comments on her service as Chair: 

“I want to thank you for the incredible honor and privilege of serving on this Board of Education and for the trust you placed on me to serve as chair for the past three years,” she said. “When I was appointed and elected to this Board in 2009, I never dreamed that this journey would be so meaningful to me. I’ve been inspired everyday by the passion, dedication and integrity of my fellow Board members, our administrators, our teachers, our staff and the families who support our schools.” 

Superintendent of Schools Richard Rodgers also showed admiration towards Hughes. He said for the past three years, she led the Board with wisdom, integrity and a genuine commitment to the students and staff. 

“Our school district and our entire community are better because of her, her leadership and her faithful service to the Houston County Board of Education, and I’m going to personally miss working with her from Superintendent to Chair,” he said. 

The Board also congratulated a couple of state winners. This included Houston County High School’s One Act troupe, who won for the third straight year, and Perry High School’s FFA team. 

In Rodgers’ Superintendent’s Report, he recognized Bonaire Middle School as County Champions in boys and girls soccer. 

Rodgers  pointed out important dates coming up including Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19, and the STAR Student and Teacher Ceremony on Jan. 27. 

In new business, the Board approved the continued services of William R. Jereles Jr., of “Daniel, Lawson, Tuggle and Jereles” to remain as the Board Attorney for 2026. 

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. located at the Board Office in Perry. The full agenda of this meeting can be found at simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4089&MID=131234&Tab=Agenda&enIID=plusq51siI5x1CpNCvgwFmX8g%3D%3D