Board recognizes State winners and discuss new budget in recent meeting 

PERRY – The Houston County Board of Education acknowledged State winners and discussed a new budget in the most recent meeting on May 14. 

The meeting started with recognizing the schools in attendance, such as Lake Joy Primary, Matt Arthur Elementary, Pearl Stephens Elementary and Tucker Elementary. Each school brought their Teacher of the Year and highlighted a few students. 

“Thank you to all of our guests,” Board Chair Helen Hughes said. “We always enjoy hearing from our principals, teachers, and students; you make us proud.” 

The Board also recognized the Houston County Sharks for winning their State Championships in basketball and football. 

“The Sharks program and our adapted sports program is one of the best things that we as a Board of Education has ever done,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Scott said. “Congratulations to our Sharks and JV Sharks; we are so proud of what you do each and every year and also appreciative to our coaches for what you do,” he said. 

The Board then recognized the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Winners from Houston County High School, as well as the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State winners from Bonaire Middle School, Feagin Mill Middle, Perry Middle, Thomson Middle, Houston County High School, Perry High and Veterans High. 

“Congratulations to all of our students here,” Board Vice-Chair Dr. Rick Unruh said. “I want to address the adults in the room and thank you for what you do to enable these students to achieve at this level.” 

“Thank you everybody for being here and I just wanted to thank everybody for a great year,” Board member Lori Johnson said. “Congratulations to all of you guys who are retiring and graduating.” 

“Thank you to everybody for your hard work that you put in this year and our numbers are really going to show it,” Board member Mark Ivory said. “I really appreciate [students] staying focused during the testing time, and I know the numbers are going to reflect that.”

“As the school year is coming to a close, it is important to take time to reflect on the year and all the positive growth and change that has taken place, but that positive growth and change would not have taken place without the help and support of a lot of dedicated and committed people,” Board member Dave Crockett said. “We want to thank Dr. Scott and the Central Office team for their guidance and support and all of our teachers for their dedication and commitment.” 

“We’re at the finish line as graduation comes, and this is a culmination of all the years of hard work from students, parents pushing the students and the teachers,” Board member Bryan Upshaw said. “Let’s just finish the race and be safe until then.”

“These [teachers] are instilling in you the things that you need to go out and be successful into our community,” Board member Jon Nichols said. “They are giving you the tools that you need to go out there and strive to be the best and do the best you can, and I challenge you to not forget that.”

“I just appreciate each one of these Board members because they have a heart and passion for you guys,” Hughes said. “I’m thankful for each of you and thank you for your service to our community and to this School Board. 

The meeting then proceeded to the Superintendent’s report. Dr. Scott started by thanking the Board for its support of teachers. 

“I’m so proud of the support the Board has given to supporting teachers,” Scott said. 

Scott also mentioned that the average salary for a teacher has increased by $15,000 since FY 2018. 

“We want to encourage our teachers to be in the classroom and be able to have a good living to support their family and still be able to do the work that is most important to our school district,” he said. 

Congratulations were also made to Houston County High and Perry High for winning first place in boys’ track in their regions. The Mossy Creek Middle School baseball team won the seventh-grade county championship, and Perry Middle School won the eighth-grade county championship. 

Mossy Creek Middle School girls won the county championship in track along with Perry Middle School boys. Perry High was also named the all-sports co-champions for their region. 

Houston County had two All-State art students, seven All-State theater students, 28 All-State band students and 93 All-State chorus students. 

“Our arts and programs are thriving because of the dedicated teachers and also the talented students and the generous support of our parents,” Scott said.

Also, according to the report, Jesse Price of Northside High School was recently named the West Central Region 2024 Work-Based Learning Student of the Year. 

Notable dates mentioned included National School Nurse Day on May 8 and National School Communicators Day on May 10. The last day of school will be May 22, and it will be a half-day. 

Graduation dates were also announced and will start Friday, May 24 at Reaves Arena with Northside High beginning at 4 p.m. and Warner Robins High School to follow at 7:30 p.m. 

On Saturday, May 25, Veterans High’s graduation will start at 8:30 a.m., Perry High School will follow at noon, and Houston County High School will begin at 3:30 p.m. 

“We are so proud of the 2,000 or so graduates that will graduate this year and thank you to all the teachers that have been a part of these students’ lives and have gotten them across this threshold and into the next phase of their lives,” Scott said. 

On new business, the Board discussed and accepted the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2025. According to the agenda, the overall budget for the Board of Education is expected to be around $571 million, including potential and expected grants of $76 million. The budget is expected to be approved at the next Board meeting on June 11, 2024. 

The budget summary in the agenda also includes 65 additional personnel, step increases for certified personnel, local step increases for classified personnel, a 5.16% increase in the Houston County certified salary schedule for certified employees, and a 5.16% cost-of-living raise for all classified employees. In addition, textbooks, software, equipment purchases, vehicle replacements, and bus purchases totaling $7.9 million have been included. 

The Board then approved the financial and purchasing reports for May 2024. Also in new business, the Board approved The Young Group to offer voluntary insurance to students for the 2024-25 school year. 

For a complete look at the May 14 meeting, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otmV6PUxm_Y

The agenda may be found at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4089&MID=117424

The next Houston County Board of Education meeting will be held on June 11 at 1 pm. at 1100 Main St. in Perry.