‘A great addition.’ Warner Robins schools, locals approve of sole superintendent finalist

After a little more than a month of a superintendent search process, Houston County Schools already has eyes on a familiar face to succeed its current leader.

On Wednesday, Houston County Schools announced Richard Rogers as the sole finalist to be the district’s next superintendent — a move that many district stakeholders are seemingly supporting. Rogers has to be confirmed through a vote by the board of education.

“When the Houston County Board of Education began the process of searching for the next superintendent, we were looking for someone who could build on the strong reputation of our District and who would continue moving Houston County forward,” Houston County Board of Education Chair Helen Hughes said in a press release.

“Our board unanimously agreed that Dr. Rogers was the right person to lead the Houston County School District,” Hughes added.

Rogers has a 20-year tenure with the Houston County School District, fulfilling several teacher and leadership roles since he joined in 2004.

Matt Arthur Elementary School Principal VaRee Harrell worked closely with Rogers when he was the former principal of the school. She said that his approachable and collaborative leadership style will positively impact the district.

“He was always the kind of leader that wanted input from his colleagues that he worked with. He liked making sure that we all had a say in some of his decisions,” Harrell said over the phone.

Harrell also complimented Rogers for his overall support in the education profession, despite knowing the hardships that come with it.

“One thing that I know he’s going to do for the school district, as he did at Matt Arthur, is have really high expectations because he knows we’re capable of doing something,” she added.

Dawn Dorr, a Warner Robins resident and former substitute teacher, said Rogers was her children’s favorite principal at Matt Arthur Elementary School while they were students, citing his care for everyone, young and old.

“He fostered a creative, calm, cooperative environment for teachers, staff, and, of course most importantly, for the students,” Dawn said in an email. “School was a place my children greatly looked forward to. They were fully supported by their principal in all endeavors, both academic and extracurricular.”

Dorr said the school district’s culture is in good hands with Rogers since she thinks that he lives by basic principles, such as the golden rule and respecting others.

She also said she believes that Rogers would be a “great addition” to the district and “can help reverse the concerning perception of not being heard” in the county.

This could include student voices too.

Abby Trevino, a former student of Rodgers and a current paraprofessional for the school district, recalled how he made her feel seen when she struggled as a student.

“Middle school was HARD for me, but Mr. Rodgers helped me through it in 7th and 8th grade language arts/science,” Trevino wrote online. “I had zero self-esteem, and the only thing I thought I was good at was language arts. He always made me feel like my writing pieces were the best things ever, and sometimes he would ask me to read something to the class.”

Trevino thanked Rogers for encouraging and believing in her 18 yeas ago before she congratulated him on the role.

“Well deserved, for sure!” she concluded.

Rogers has served as the deputy superintendent of HCBE since 2021, and now is awaiting an official vote from the board of education next month to claim the role of superintendent.

Current HCBE Superintendent Mark Scott is set to retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Scott announced his retirement in July during the district’s opening ceremony at the beginning of the school year. He began his tenure as the HCBE superintendent in 2014.

“I just feel like Dr. Scott has started us on this path to excellence, and I just feel like Dr. Rogers is going to pick up where Dr. Scott leaves off and just carry us through and be elbow-to-elbow with us as we work towards that goal of being a world class school system,” Harrell said.

If confirmed, Rogers’ leadership position will begin on June 2, according to district officials.