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The Oconee County Board of Education will hold budget hearings for the FY26 General Fund Budget in the Board Meeting Room at the Instructional Support Center located at 71 North Main Street, Watkinsville, GA, on May 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM and May 29, 2025, at 4:00 PM.

FY2026 Tentative Budget

Monday, May 12, 2025

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — The Oconee County Board of Education held its May regular session on Monday at the Instructional Support Center.

Chief Financial Officer Peter Adams presented the FY 2026 tentative General Fund budget of $120,526,304 along with the tentative Federal Funds budget totaling $7,659,703. Approximately 88.5 percent of the General Fund budget is allocated to personnel costs. He said budget hearings are scheduled for May 22 and May 29, both at 4 p.m. at the Instructional Support Center. Mr. Adams also presented the 2026 budget calendar and a 2024 audit update as well as the cash balance, vendor payments, budget report, ELOST collections, ELOST VI report, and federal funds report for April. 

Dr. Ryan White, the Chief Operations Officer, gave an update on the work that took place related to the gym and the outside pod at Oconee County Elementary during Spring Break in April.

Dr. Debra Harden was selected as the interim Superintendent. Dr. Harden, who was the Superintendent from 1993-99 and is a member of the OCS Hall of Fame, will begin her interim tenure on July 1. She will serve through Dec. 31, or until a full-time Superintendent has been selected.

Rocky Branch Elementary Principal Sara Johnson, Assistant Principal Kandice Ivarie, teachers Stephanie Dickson and Josh Luke, and seven students presented their school’s Points of Pride on Monday. Rocky Branch Elementary students also provided this month’s artwork under the direction of Ms. Dickson.

Monday’s recognitions included Dove Creek Middle FBLA state medalists; Oconee County Middle and North Oconee High FFA state medalists; Oconee County High DECA state medalists; Malcom Bridge Middle’s Daughters of the American Revolution state essay contest winner; the North Oconee gymnastics team that won its sixth straight state title; and the Oconee County High quartet that won the state competition.

The Board unanimously approved:
• The CTAE local plans and grants.
• An Oconee County High out-of-state field trip.
• The purchase of two 14-passenger activity buses from Rush Truck Centers for $252,000.
• North Oconee High door hardware improvements by Classic City Doors & Hardware for $83,523.20.
• Oconee County High’s parking lot addition by Smith & Co. for $822,916.46.
• Paving at the OCS maintenance facility by Magnum Paving for $192,414.

Six Oconee County residents addressed the Board during Public Communication.

The Board approved the personnel recommendations as presented.

For more information on Monday’s meeting, please click here.

The Board of Education's next meeting will be June 9 at 6 p.m. at the Instructional Support Center.

The Board of Education holds meetings in public at the Instructional Support Center. Access to the simultaneous broadcast of the Board of Education meeting will be available on the Oconee County Schools YouTube channel. Meetings will be archived on YouTube within two business days.
 

Monday, May 12, 2025

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — Dr. Debra Harden was selected as the interim Superintendent for Oconee County Schools by the Board of Education on Monday.

Dr. Harden, who was the Superintendent from 1993-99 and is a member of the OCS Hall of Fame, will begin her interim tenure on July 1. Dr. Harden will serve through Dec. 31, 2025, or until a full-time Superintendent has been selected.

“It is an honor to be asked to serve Oconee County again through our exceptional school district,” said Dr. Harden, the Georgia School Superintendent of the Year in 1999. “I am looking forward to working alongside the Board, the leadership team, our dedicated faculty and staff, and the entire community. I am excited to move forward with the current goals. The focus is always on how best to advance student success, and I am eager to contribute to that mission.”

Dr. Jason Branch, the current Superintendent, announced in April his decision to retire effective June 30. The Board voted last week to partner with Georgia Leadership Associates (GLA) to facilitate the search for the next Superintendent.

“The Board of Education is thrilled to welcome Dr. Harden back to serve as the interim Superintendent,” Chair Michael Ransom said. “Her previous experience leading our district and her deep understanding of our community means she will provide a steady hand during this important transition. The Board has full confidence that she will ensure the continuity of our goals and the continued success of Oconee County Schools.”

Since 2016, Dr. Harden has been a consultant to school leaders in leadership coaching, followership, having difficult conversations, and effective communication. As the Director of Professional Development for the Georgia School Superintendents Association from 2000-16, Dr. Harden counseled sitting and aspiring Superintendents.

Under Dr. Harden’s watch as OCS Superintendent, she initiated, with Board support, a strategic plan that featured building additional schools, including what became Malcom Bridge Elementary in 1996 and Malcom Bridge Middle in 1997. Her association with OCS dates back to 1978 as she spent five years as the Director of Special Education. Dr. Harden was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Dr. Harden additionally held teaching and leadership positions in Clarke, Barrow, Morgan, and Lowndes counties.
 

Monday, May 5, 2025

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — The Oconee County Board of Education held its May work session at the Instructional Support Center on Monday.

The Board heard reports from Dr. Jason Branch, the Superintendent of Schools, as well as from Teaching and Learning, Student Services, Technology, Operations, Operations-Facilities, Human Resources, Communications, and Business Services.

Dr. Ryan White, the Chief Operations Officer, presented an action item for two activity buses.

Dr. Susan Stancil, the Chief Academic Officer, submitted CTAE Local Plan and State Grant Applications for FY26 as an action item.

Fred Ricketson, the Director of Facilities, provided action items for North Oconee High door hardware improvements, the Oconee County High parking lot addition, and the maintenance facility paving.

Dr. Kevin Yancey, the Director of Student Services, presented an action item for an Oconee County High School field trip to Spartanburg, S.C.

The Board voted 4-0 to partner with Georgia Leadership Associates (GLA) to facilitate the search for the next Superintendent. In addition, the Board of Education is in the process of identifying an interim Superintendent to begin serving on July 1. This individual will lead the district while the search is conducted for the next Superintendent. Dr. Branch announced his retirement last month.

Chief Financial Officer Peter Adams notified the Board that he was unable to present the FY26 tentative budget due to a statewide software challenge that has kept tax digest numbers from being finalized. Mr. Adams said the tentative budget will be brought before the Board "in a timely manner for review and discussion" once the tax digest is finalized.

The Board approved the personnel recommendations as presented.

For more information on Monday’s meeting, please click here.

The Board of Education next will have a regular session on Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m., at the Instructional Support Center.

The Board of Education holds meetings in public at the Instructional Support Center. Access to the simultaneous broadcast of the Board of Education meeting will be available on the Oconee County Schools YouTube channel. Meetings will be archived on YouTube within two business days.