Board of Education holds second hearing on millage rate, recognizes national winner, perfect health scores  

PERRY — With the Houston County Board of Education’s setting of the millage rate around the corner, the Board held its second public hearing on the Calendar Year 2025 millage rate. 

Chief Financial Officer Michelle Morris spoke in favor of the millage rate. 

“State law requires that if a District does not lower the millage rate to offset property value growth set by the tax assessor’s office, we must advertise it as a tax increase and hold three public hearings, even when the millage rate itself has not changed,” Morris said. 

The millage rate for the school district will remain unchanged and will stay at 11.719 mills. Morris said this rate is the lowest it has been since 1992. 

“Even though the millage rate is not going up, overall commercial and residential property values are increasing,” she said. “Only property owners whose reassessment went up would see a tax increase. For owners with no reassessment, taxes would remain the same, and if a reassessment went down their taxes would decrease.” 

The Houston County School District’s millage rate is currently ranked 165th out of the 180 districts in the state. 

“I want to commend our Board of Education for continuing to prioritize transparency and responsible stewardship for taxpayer dollars while meeting the needs of a growing student enrollment and a growing community,” Morris said. 

At the hearing, no one present spoke against the millage rate. The third and final hearing will be held on Monday, August 25, at 3 p.m. at the Board Office in Perry. 

Board member Lori Johnson provided comments on the misinformation that had been shared on social media regarding the millage rate. 

“It has been reported in a way that may lead people to believe that the Board of Education is raising everyone’s property taxes by 12% and that is simply not true,” she said. “As board members, we take our responsibility as stewards of tax payer dollars very seriously. Every decision we make is with the goal of keeping our community strong and ensuring our students graduate ready for whatever comes next.” 

Johnson also thanked first responders, law enforcement and the Perry High faculty, staff and family in response to an incident that occurred on Friday, August 8. 

“You handled a very serious situation in an exemplary manner last week. The response to the threat against the safety of our students and faculty was handled with commendable urgency and remarkable composure,” she said. 

The Board also heard from Bonaire Primary, Feagin Mill Middle, Lake Joy Elementary, Langston Road Elementary and Shirley Hills Elementary. Each school principal brought their Teacher of the Year and highlighted two of their star students. 

The Board then recognized Jace Reeves, the winner of the National School Bus Safety Art Contest. Reeves also won the State competition and was awarded a total of $350. 

“We’re so proud of Jace demonstrating the Houston County way in this competition,” Director of Transportation Tom Walmer said. 

The Board of Education then celebrated the schools that had received perfect health scores for ten consecutive years or more. 

These schools include: Thomson Middle (10 years), CB Watson Primary, Langston Road Elementary (11 years), Kings Chapel Elementary, Northside Elementary (12 years), Perry High, Russell Elementary (13 years), Eagle Springs Elementary, Northside High, Northside Middle, Pearl Stephens Elementary (14 years), Feagin Mill Middle (15 years), Parkwood Elementary (17 years), Houston County High, Perry Middle (18 years), Huntington Middle, Quail Run Elementary (19 years), Lake Joy Elementary, Warner Robins Middle (20 years), Miller Elementary, Perdue Primary and Tucker Elementary (22 years). 

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Richard Rogers, began his Superintendent’s report by highlighting the Opening Session. 

“On July 23, we celebrated the successes of last school year and reviewed goals for this year. We embrace the theme of ‘Together We Can’ and discuss the Houston County way forward which is a new emphasis on nurturing relationships and supporting one another,” he said. 

Rogers also recognized the 2025-2026 District Teacher of the Year, Amber Washington, of Centerville Elementary School. The district’s Support Person of the Year, Brianna Howard and School Level Person of the Year, Stephanie Brown of Thomson Middle, were announced.

“Congratulations to all these honorees,” he said. 

To end the report, Rogers mentioned opportunities to meet the Board of Education. The first event is at the Lindsey Student Support Center on August 26, and the second event is at the Houston County School District Annex on September 4. Both meet and greets will be from 4-6 p.m. and are drop-in events. 

In new business, the Board approved the renaming of the McConnell-Talbert Stadium fieldhouse after two former coaches, Robert Davis and Conrad Nix. 

“They’ve coached in the rain, heat, in the face of doubters and impossible odds, and through it all, they prove that winning is sweeter when it is done with integrity,” Board Member Clyde Jackson said. “We thank them not just for the seasons they’ve led, but for their generosity and the reasons they’ve shaped our community. Victories fade but legacies live forever.” 

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held Sept. 9 at the Board Office in Perry, located at 1100 Main Street. To view the full agenda of this meeting, go to simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4089&MID=127747