LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) — As Lee County heads toward a June runoff for the District 1 school board seat, candidate George Parrish Houston is speaking out about what he says voters are demanding and what he plans to do about it.

Houston led the three-way District 1 primary race with 534 votes but fell short of the 50-plus-one threshold needed to win. He will face incumbent Donna L. Ford in a June runoff.

Houston said as a father with children who have attended Lee County schools, his campaign platform stuck with voters.

“I feel like that having that strong parental representation on the school board has really resonated with the voters in District 1,” he said. “Also think that they are hungry for change. They’re hungry for a new perspective.”

Property Tax Controversy

The race comes amid the growing property tax controversy for the county and the school board, WALB has previously reported. The Lee County Board of Commissioners said residents overpaid approximately $1.5 million to the county, and the Lee County School System owes over 5 million dollars in similar overpayments.

Houston outlined his plan if elected in June.

“We correct any of those errors, whether it happened intentionally or unintentionally,” Houston said. “But we work in good faith to do what’s right. That’s my stance this whole time, transparency and accountability, because I believe that’s what people are really looking for. And they’re not getting right now under the current school board administration.”

ESPLOST

Voters also rejected the renewal of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as ESPLOST, on primary day. Houston said the ‘no’ vote puts the responsibility on school board leaders to find new solutions.

“Obviously, the school system is going to lose some funding here. But I’ve also said during my campaign that we need to leverage all potential federal and state grants. To my knowledge, I don’t believe the Lee County School System has a full-time grant writer. Are we being proactive in seeking these corporate and community partnerships? Are we utilizing all the different grants to maybe close some of the gaps, but also take some of that burden off the local taxpayer?”

June Runoff

With the runoff approaching, Houston said his strategy remains the same.

“I’m continuing to listen. I’m continuing to have those conversations,” he said. “I want to hear your concerns. And I want to be that voice for the community. My focus is going to stay the same. Safe schools, strong standards, and smart spending.”

Houston closed with a direct message to Lee County residents.

Listen, I have the same goals as everybody else. I’m a dad of six kids. I put my kids on the school bus. I sit at the ball games at Trojan Field. I attend the plays at Robert A. Clay Auditorium. We’re neighbors. We have the same goals. We want what’s best for our kids, our community, and our students."

WALB reached out to Houston’s runoff opponent, incumbent Donna L. Ford, and newly elected District 3 board member Jennifer Lea McNair for comment. We are waiting to hear back from both.

WALB sent the Lee County School System a number of questions about the property tax overpayments and they agreed to respond to them by, Friday, May 22.

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