EDUCATION
MARY PERSONS, A Coaching Mecca
Mary Persons High School in 2011 became only the second school in the state to have two football coaches achieve their 300th career win.
Rodney Walker celebrates his 300th career win in 2001.
Coach Rodney Walker hit the milestone when his Bulldogs beat Westside 20-17 in Macon in October.
Mary Persons’ principal Jim Finch, who coached un-
der Walker at Peach County High School in the‘ 90s, presented Walker with a special commemorative game ball on the field after the game at the Ed Defore Sports Complex.
As he accepted Finch’ s congratulations, Walker told his excited team:“ When I’ m retired and gone, I’ ll remember this one.”
Mary Persons’ victory made Walker only the 13th coach in Georgia high school history to reach 300 career wins and only the 12th GHSA coach to reach the mark. But he’ s also the second at MP. The legendary Dan Pitts retired in 1997 with 346 career wins. MP is believed
to be one of just two Georgia programs, along with West Rome, that have employed two coaches who amassed at least 300 victories. Walker and former Valdosta legend Nick Hyder each coached at West Rome.
Walker and his son Chip are the only father-son duo that have each won state championships in Georgia. Chip Walker’ s Sandy Creek squad has won back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010. Walker retired at the end of the 2011 season and his defensive coordinator, Brian Nelson, was promoted to head coach.
• 97.3 % of parents are satisfied with the quality of the education program in MCS
• 97.0 % of parents are pleased with the availability of technology and how it is used in MCS
• 84 % of parents indicate their children have been recognized for good behaviors
• 96.8 % of parents are satisfied with the leadership in MCS
• 97.6 % of parents state that staff are courteous and helpful when assistance is needed
• 97.9 % of parents feel their child is safe at school
• 97.5 % of parents feel their children’ s schools are clean
• 95.5 % of faculty and staff are satisifed with the quality of the education program in MCS
• 78.8 % of faculty and staff are satisified with the availability of technology and how it is used in MCS
• 96.7 % of faculty and staff indicate they have recognized students for good behavior
• 88.2 % of faculty and staff are satisified with the leadership in MCS
• 89.4 % of faculty and staff are satisfied with the leadership at the central office
• 91.1 % of faculty and staff are satisfied with the support staff at the central office
• 91.8 % of faculty and staff feel valued
• 97.1 % of faculty and staff feel their schools are safe
• 88.3 % of faculty and staff feel their schools are clean
Monroe County is the Best Place to Live!
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