School board changes for 2023

PERRY, Ga.— At the turn of the year, restructuring continues for local districts, including the Houston County Board of Education. At the school board meeting on Jan. 17, multiple changes and elections were made that gave many on staff promotions and new titles.

The meeting was the first for Jon Nichols and Mark Ivory, who were recently elected for District 4 and District 6 of the board, respectively, and took the place of Hoke Morrow and Fred Wilson, the board’s former chairman. With the chairman spot open, the board took the opportunity at the beginning of the meeting to elect the new chairman and vice chairman.

Ultimately, the chairman spot would go to Helen Hughes, who served as vice chairman last year. The board voted unanimously to elect Hughes as chairman.

After her election, Hughes expressed her gratitude to her fellow board members.

“Thank you so much for your confidence and your trust and support,” Hughes said. “I will do my best.”

Later, Hughes added to this and explained the school district’s mission: “I’m blessed beyond measure to be a part of this school board, and have been for several years. There have been a lot of people who have sat in these seats.

“Some of them have come and gone, some of them I worked with closely and some came before me. But all of them had the same goal and vision and mission in mind, even though the wording changed along the way. But the intent and the result was always to provide the best possible thing that we can provide for our school system, for our students. We’re committed to the welfare of our students and our school system and to our employees, and we are blessed to have a wonderful school system. We want to provide the best educational setting and opportunities and preparation for life beyond the classroom.”

With Hughes now chairman, the board also chose vice chairman, unanimously electing Dr. Rick Unruh for the position.

“I appreciate the opportunity and the confidence expressed in the vote,” Unruh said.

District 3 member Dave Crockett thanked Hughes and Unruh for their willingness to serve, and also welcomed Nichols and Ivory to the board.

Nichols responded by saying he is honored to serve.

“I’m so proud to be able to serve on this board,” Nichols said. “I’m thankful for the support and the trust.”

The school board also named Dr. Doug Rizer as director of school operations, Will Ray as director of human resources and Tom Seward as director of career, technical and agricultural education. Rizer serves as principal of Houston County High School, Ray is principal of Kings Chapel Elementary School and Seward is assistant principal of Warner Robins High School.

Kyon Cobb was named principal of Langston Road Elementary School, and Dr. Dana Brock was named principal of Miller Elementary School. Ben Bailey was named head football coach for Northside High School.

For the board attorney, William Jerles, Jr. was renamed as council for the school district.

For student honors, the school board also took time to recognize recent competition winners from the Future Farmers of America, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Houston County High School’s cheerleading team and the Houston County Sharks.

During the superintendent’s report, Dr. Mark Scott thanked Hughes, Unruh and the board.

Additionally, the board recognized Perry High School’s girls’ soccer team, Feagin Mill Middle School’s boys’ soccer team, Houston County High’s wind symphony, along with recent Georgia Music Educators Association, academic bowl and spelling bee winners during the superintendent’s report.

Scott also explained legislative priorities for the general assembly, including supporting public education, increasing teacher pay, expanding employment for retirees and school safety, along with announcing open applications for the district’s Houston Virtual program and upcoming student honors from Robins Regional Chamber and Perry Chamber.

Also approved during the meeting was a purchase of the district’s telecommunication network set for July of this year, a purchase of a contactless timekeeping system, an agreement with Parrish Construction to renovate the inside of Parkwood Elementary School, an agreement with International City Builders, Inc. to renovate the inside of Shirley Hills Elementary School and a revision to an agreement with Snowco General Contractors for site work at the Perry High School Field House.

After an executive session, the meeting was adjourned. The next monthly board meeting is currently set for Feb. 14 at the board of education building in Perry.

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