Board of Education celebrates April as the Month of the Military Child 

PERRY—At its most recent meeting, The Houston County Board of Education celebrated April as the Month of the Military Child. 

To start the meeting, the Board recognized the schools in attendance, such as Kings Chapel Elementary, David Perdue Elementary, Thomson Middle, and Veterans High School. These schools highlighted their own Teacher of the Year and a few students from military families. 

“Thank you to each of our guests,” Board Vice Chair Dr. Rick Unruh said. “We love hearing from our principals, teachers, and students.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Scott then recognized the month of April 2024 as the Month of the Military Child and was joined by Colonel Sergio Rios who is the Deputy Commander, 78 Air Base Wing, at Robins Air Force Base. “In our district, over 6,000 students are military affiliated with approximately 2,000 children of military members,” Scott said. “We also have many employees who are related or have served or have family members that have served.”

Colonel Rios shared his remarks. 

“Those that serve along with us are family members,” he said. 

Rios then states on average, military children go to about six to nine schools.

“Our military children are amazing and resilient,” he said. 

Rios said he has never seen a military community so well tied as it is here in Houston County. 

Rios and Dr. Scott then signed the proclamation. 

“Thank you again to all of our military service members and families,” Scott said. “It is always an honor for us to celebrate the Month of the Military Child during the month of April.” 

Veterans High School highlighted FFA Winners and three-time State Champion wrestler Latrell Schaffer, who were both acknowledged for their accomplishments.

Schafer is signed to wrestle at NC State and had a record of 151-4 in his high school career.  

The Board then recognized State Champion literary teams from Houston County High School and Perry High School, as well as the Perry Southeastern Theatre Conference Winners and the Houston County School District’s 5th-grade Oratorical Competition Winners. 

First place winner of the Oratorical Competition was Khalil Florence of Lake Joy Elementary. He then shared his winning speech for everyone in attendance, centered around the word ‘optimism’. 

“It is so great to see our students excel in so many ways,” Unruh said. 

After the agenda was adopted and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved, the meeting went on to board member comments started by Board member Mark Ivory. He stated that he is a disabled veteran and served in the United States Army. Ivory said that he sustained burns on 39 percent of his body while serving in the Army. 

“I am retired, but if I could have served 20 or 30 years I would have done it,” he said. 

Board member Jon Nichols also shared comments about how important the military is here in Houston County. 

“As a guy that has been here 57 of my 59 years, it matters to us about you in the military,” he said. “It makes me proud to be a part of Warner Robins, Houston County, Middle Georgia, and Georgia because y’all make us proud.”

The meeting then went on to the Superintendent’s Report led by Dr. Scott.

Scott said last week that the Georgia Department of Education has recognized four schools as Military Flagship Award Schools. These schools include Lake Joy Elementary, Mossy Creek Middle, Veterans High and Bonaire Primary. 

“This brings the total number of Military Flagship Schools to ten,” he said. “Thank you to our schools and our staff for all the hard work that goes into supporting our military families and students.”

Dr. Christy Lee Arrington was selected by the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education as the 2024 Outstanding Special Education Director. 

“This state-wide award is given to a Special Education director who demonstrates exemplary leadership and service, so congratulations to Dr. Arrington,” he said. 

Congratulations were made to Warner Robins High School for winning the region in literary as well as Veterans High School boys soccer team, Perry High School girls soccer team and Houston County High School girls tennis team for winning their respective regions. 

Also in the report, Houston County High School’s Shiva Soundappan was recently named District 6 region star student, along with Mr. Daryl Leslie as star teacher. 

“They will be advancing to the state competition later this month, and we know they will represent Houston County well,” he said. 

Congratulations were also made to Tom Walmer, who won the Middle Georgia RESA Transportation Director of the Year. 

The month of April is also celebrated as School Library Month. 

“We know that many people refer to our media centers as the heart of the school, and we are grateful for our district’s hardworking media specialists,” he said. 

Ashley Gordon of Quail Run Elementary was named the district’s Media Specialist of the Year. 

The report also points out that the Houston County School’s nutrition program will offer its annual summer feeding program. 

“Meals will be offered free of charge for children 18 and under from May 28 to July 19,” he said. “This is a great service that we are able to offer, and we encourage our community to apply before the May 3 deadline. 

Other events coming up that were mentioned at the end of the report include Autism Awareness Month and Occupational Therapy Month. Other dates of note include National Volunteer Week from April 14-20, high school proms on April 20, Earth Day on April 22, National Library Week from April 23-29, Administrative Professionals Day on April 24, Bus Driver Job Fair on April 27 and the retirement banquet on May 2.

As part of the meeting’s new business, the Board then approved the February 2024 financial and purchasing reports for April 2024. 

The Board then approved the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Warner Robins concerning the Independence Day celebration. 

For a complete look at the April 16 meeting, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9gdOa0gDmk 

The agenda may be found at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4089&MID=116720&Tab=Agenda&enIID=oGze0w5gyRYbcvbokkSphw%3D%3D

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held on May 14 at 1 pm. at 1100 Main St. in Perry.