[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6085624,"mediaKeyId","2902698-9e3e01f41e51a008b435870ed0892c29","parentId",2902698,"title","Houston County Schools honor military children, teachers and state champions at April board meeting","audioSeconds",1983,"startMs",156000,"endMs",2139000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902698-9e3e01f41e51a008b435870ed0892c29&start=156&end=2139","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902698-9e3e01f41e51a008b435870ed0892c29/thumbnail_156000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085624/Georgia/Houston-County-Schools-honor-military-children-teachers-and-state-champions-at-April-board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085624-e145366ffed17835fed20be188c56989/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932365&Signature=P4yvdiEoNT7tRq1jiyPb4MrXbVVhFKWHOkZg4lQXjjyJIbi40vh5voHMa6CRw5zghz7GwOPaWV68-TVlh6qEcn1wpI5lSI6ZnemqP1t9dLCD4c8tI4DocabiMKl-Eu-KU3dz5DhV3ivyfA0iRUTFO3tAd7~pTR5i3UuZaUdPIAiCyVvousoIRPoI7pmrxSm~v0fjRFhw33DOz1shJFHG2gFk-QC88b3~Br9YnCYfbHxobpjiz0bsVNieZ-t2G-ft8S7WPPCQpDZd-Qn99n5G4bE6FZ4Qm5~bNozmnyC0s-I966yaQTJM0yk1quFXWnQ2KnGAb8cTqzJxVIkQqfNXgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-09T00:32:58.997Z","article","Principals from Houston County schools used the April 8 Board of Education meeting to highlight military-connected students, name teachers of the year and celebrate students who won state competitions in agricultural education, SkillsUSA and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

The round of recognitions was presented during the public portion of the meeting as part of the district’s observance of the Month of the Military Child. Principals introduced students whose families serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and described their school involvement and accomplishments. Among those recognized were second-graders Patrick Grama and Kedrian Marshall from Miller Elementary School, introduced by Miller Principal Dana Brock, and several students from David Perdue Elementary, King’s Chapel Elementary and Thompson Middle School who were highlighted by their principals for leadership, athletics and extracurricular engagement.

Veterans High School Principal Dr. Amy Barber introduced two military-connected seniors: Ivy Nash, daughter of a senior master sergeant in the Air Force, who is a dual-enrollment student and yearbook co-editor planning to attend Georgia Southern to study biomedical science; and Adrianna Jones, a National Merit-recognized student who will attend Howard University with plans for a medical career. Dr. Barber also introduced the school’s teacher of the year, Dr. Megan Jones, whom she described as a long-serving educator and leader at Veterans High School who led the establishment of a student care closet and grew AP Literature enrollment and qualifying rates during her tenure.

District staff also recognized a range of student competitive accomplishments. Perry High School reported multiple state wins in livestock and showmanship categories, including Addison Fox (senior market beef record book winner and reserve overall steer exhibitor) and several other students who placed in cattle and swine divisions. Veterans High School students were also honored for state livestock wins, including a senior who won the senior market hog record book.

Career and technical education successes were recognized from Houston County College and Career Academy (fine furniture and cabinet making team: Trista Swaner, Karina Brown and Jalen White) and from the HCCA film and AB Tech/film programs (students Jaden Perez, Ava Rumford and Destiny Broughton), which won a state SkillsUSA title in the single-script video category. Veterans High School students were recognized for state titles in graphic design and facilities management competitions; one student will advance to national competition in Anaheim, California.

FBLA advisors reported that Houston County students had first-place finishes at the FBLA state conference. One student, Roxanda Melcoach, placed first in international business and is slated to compete at nationals. The board also recognized middle- and high-school students who earned All-State Band honors and named winners of the district fifth-grade oratorical competition.

Nut graf: The recognitions underscored the district’s emphasis on supporting military families and showcasing student achievement across academics, career-technical education and extracurricular competitions. Several principals used the opportunity to point to district programs that support military-connected students and student-led service efforts such as care closets.

Context and details: The meeting featured multiple principals and advisors presenting brief remarks; these were largely ceremonial recognitions rather than board policy actions. The transcript records teachers and students by name and highlights programs including agricultural education, SkillsUSA, FBLA and district career-technical offerings. Specific program dates and follow-up events referenced at the meeting include a fine furniture showcase on May 7 (4–6 p.m.) and the district summer feeding program running from May 27 through July (applications encouraged before May 2).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HCBOE Board Meeting | April 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Principals from multiple Houston County schools introduced military-connected students and recognized teachers of the year and state-level student winners in agriculture, SkillsUSA and FBLA during the April 8 board meeting, part of the district’s observance of the Month of the Military Child.","taxTitle","Houston County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15358,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6085629,"Houston County Board approves personnel hires, STEM site selection and $55.8 million GMP for Veterans Middle School; routine items pass 6-0",1131,3645000,4776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902698-9e3e01f41e51a008b435870ed0892c29&start=3645&end=4776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902698-9e3e01f41e51a008b435870ed0892c29/thumbnail_3645000.jpg","/articles/6085629/Georgia/Houston-County-Board-approves-personnel-hires-STEM-site-selection-and-558-million-GMP-for-Veterans-Middle-School-routine-items-pass-6-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085629-8210347622747519573f5540ee491981/orig.mp4?Expires=1770932365&Signature=KQdq-xambdrJzq~V42gP1KGsZ946hXp-1WtM7A4K~8bWyKYZOrTeFqPd35ETDfV7pc7Vt1bIhcnpegau2yYsZVxQzaYwtoG6uDE52wry40D1Pk4IlMKrNFRA0~pr4CBOmaGm6hazM46Tp2T8loKfdfH3o4ygwUenpyrAwB2df2lD2nPm4LcV0BfTTFIIw9mitJ1QGfnyir7f2K6ccUIUu3UybDwPz13YksW62~sfBjh8~I7acBmdTIXEDS3itHcmahHu20R9ucE~m2HifWXjRZ1LnoKRStYibjNPtGf2UyFBtlv0rjg6OYHRxPdJzhA0d-Ud1dHCh4wIauENX~oWAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Board of Education unanimously approved a slate of routine and capital items during its April 8 meeting, including personnel appointments, surplus equipment, routine financial reports, a Georgia Department of Education site-selection application for a proposed STEM Academy and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $55,808,634 for Veterans Middle School.

Board members voted 6-0 to adopt the meeting agenda and to approve minutes from prior meetings before taking up department reports and routine approvals. The board approved the February 2025 financial reports and the purchasing reports as presented; both measures passed on voice votes with the recorded outcome “motion carries 6-0.”

In business and operational actions, the board unanimously approved a recommendation to surplus eight items, described at the meeting as two mowers, multiple trailers, a freezer truck and an F-250 truck that were no longer operable. The motion to surplus assets passed 6-0.

Personnel and hiring motions also carried unanimously. The board approved the personnel report and then approved individual superintendent recommendations for assistant principal and discipline assignments across several schools. The meeting record lists approvals for the following appointments (positions as recorded at the meeting): assistant principal of instruction at Northside Elementary School (Christina Bettencourt); assistant principal of discipline at Centerville Elementary School (Rashad of Paige); assistant principal of discipline at David Perdue Primary (Sean McCann); and assistant principal of discipline at Parkwood Elementary School (Blake Yarborough). Each of those employment recommendations was approved by recorded voice vote, with the meeting notation “motion passes 6-0.”

On program and capital project items, the board voted 6-0 to approve the Georgia Department of Education site-selection application for the district’s proposed STEM Academy. The board also approved a guaranteed maximum price for Veterans Middle School with a stated financial impact of $55,808,634; that motion passed by the same 6-0 vote.

The board concluded the open session business by approving an executive-session request to discuss student matters and then recessed into executive session. The motion to enter executive session was approved 6-0.

Votes at a glance
- Adopt agenda: passed, 6-0.
- Approve minutes from previous meetings: passed, 6-0.
- Approve February 2025 financial reports: passed, 6-0.
- Approve purchasing reports: passed, 6-0.
- Surplus eight items (two mowers, trailers, freezer truck, F-250): passed, 6-0.
- Approve personnel report: passed, 6-0.
- Approve Christina Bettencourt, assistant principal of instruction, Northside Elementary: passed, 6-0.
- Approve Rashad of Paige, assistant principal of discipline, Centerville Elementary: passed, 6-0.
- Approve Sean McCann, assistant principal of discipline, David Perdue Primary: passed, 6-0.
- Approve Blake Yarborough, assistant principal of discipline, Parkwood Elementary: passed, 6-0.
- Approve Georgia Department of Education site-selection application, STEM Academy: passed, 6-0.
- Approve guaranteed maximum price for Veterans Middle School — $55,808,634: passed, 6-0.
- Enter executive session for student matters: passed, 6-0.

Nut graf: The approvals finalize routine financial and personnel business and advance the district’s capital work: the STEM Academy site-selection application and a set GMP for Veterans Middle School move forward with unanimous board support, while several staffing recommendations were confirmed without dissent.

Background and clarifications: Board members repeatedly recorded unanimous voice votes labeled in the minutes as “motion passes 6-0” or “motion carries 6-0”; the transcript does not list an aye/no roll-call by individual member for each vote. The GMP amount for Veterans Middle School appeared in the meeting record as $55,808,634 and was introduced during the item presented by a board member; the transcript includes that figure as the stated financial impact. The new policy referenced for review at the meeting was described as being created to meet the requirements of State Board Rule 160-5-1-.36 and was presented for consideration at a subsequent meeting (it will lay on the table for review until the next meeting).","At its April 8 meeting the Houston County Board of Education approved personnel appointments, surplus equipment, financial and purchasing reports, a Georgia Department of Education site-selection application for a STEM Academy and a guaranteed maximum price of $55,808,634 for Veterans Middle School; all votes passed unanimously 6-0.","actionData","errors"]

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Houston County Schools honor military children, teachers and state champions at April board meeting

Houston County Board approves personnel hires, STEM site selection and $55.8 million GMP for Veterans Middle School; routine items pass 6-0