Oconee County Schools
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![NOHS students, staff and board members at a board meeting]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783892513/oconeeschoolsorg/l63tolfv673rj4d3wabu/2026BoardBriefs.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783892513/oconeeschoolsorg/l63tolfv673rj4d3wabu/2026BoardBriefs.png","width":390}])
Callen Moore
The Oconee County Board of Education approved several operational and facilities projects during its regular meeting Monday, including school nutrition purchases, a new audio system for the North Oconee High School gymnasium, and a generator installation at High Shoals Elementary School.
In policy action, the Board approved the 2026-27 Local School Board Training Plan. It adopted revisions to Board Policy JCDAG: Bullying and JCDA-E(1): Student Code of Conduct following their public review period. Board Policy GARH: Employee Leave and Absences was placed on the table for public review and comment until the Board's next regular meeting. Director of Human Resources Dr. Lisa Manross shared that Policy GARH is being updated to align with House Bill 1118, which allows for an additional three weeks of paid maternal birth leave, and Senate Bill 148, which increases the number of sick leave days that can be used for personal leave from three to five.
The Board also approved the final FY26 General Fund Budget Amendment and the final FY26 Federal Funds Budget Amendment following updates from the Chief Financial Officer Peter Adams on year-end finances, including June cash balances, ESPLOST collections, and budget activity.
Chief Operations Officer Dr. Ryan White shared that the new transportation radio system had been installed and tested on bus routes with positive reviews from drivers. In addition, new GPS systems were installed on buses and are operational for the upcoming school year. Information regarding the new app for parents will be shared this month. Dr. White concluded his report by stating that the Civic Center Intergovernmental Agreement was signed by the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners at the joint session held at 4 p.m.
Director of Facilities Fred Ricketson provided a construction update on the building addition at Transportation, which should be ready for use by the end of the month. He also shared that the North Oconee High School Auxiliary Gym project is currently in the design phase, and they plan to have bid documents ready by the end of the calendar year. At Oconee County High School, the team is working with engineers to determine the best placement of athletic fields.
Mr. Ricketson continued with updates on school projects that have taken place over the summer. At Oconee County Elementary School, the team is nearing completion of the gym renovation and improved landscaping. At Oconee Primary School and Oconee Middle School, new HVAC and fire alarm units are being installed and should be fully operational by mid-July. He concluded his informational report with an update that Walton EMC had begun work to address the power redundancy at Butler’s Crossing.
The Board approved FY27 School Food bids to support the district's School Nutrition Program, a new audio system for the North Oconee High School gymnasium for $43,301.82, and the installation of a generator for the High Shoals Elementary School LAS building for $63,852. Both capital projects will be funded through ESPLOST.
North Oconee High School Principal Keith Carter, Band Director Scott Smith, and students Emma Lemyre, Holton LeMons, Mahum Bashir, and Ashton York presented the school's Points of Pride, highlighting extracurricular opportunities and the Titan Regiment. The Board also recognized artwork created by North Oconee High School students under the direction of art teacher Cathi Warren.
The Board approved personnel recommendations following an executive session.
​
![Class of 2027]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783628541/oconeeschoolsorg/reacrmabtucymwyyuezm/2027GraduationWebsite.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783628541/oconeeschoolsorg/reacrmabtucymwyyuezm/2027GraduationWebsite.png","width":390}])
Steven Colquitt
Oconee County Schools is pleased to announce the Class of 2027 graduation dates for Oconee County High School and North Oconee High School.
Graduation ceremonies will be held on the following dates:
- Oconee County High School
- Friday, May 21, 2027
- 7:30 p.m.
- Warrior Stadium
- North Oconee High School
- Saturday, May 22, 2027
- 7:30 p.m.
- Titan Stadium
The 2026-27 academic calendar concludes on a Tuesday rather than a Friday, as in previous years. To continue the tradition of weekend ceremonies, graduations will be held the weekend before the final two instructional days of the school year. This schedule will not impact graduating seniors, who will have completed all required coursework before commencement.
“Celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates is one of the highlights of each school year,” said Superintendent Melissa Butler. “We are pleased to continue the tradition of celebrating this milestone on our school campuses, where students can share this special occasion with the families, teachers, and community members who have supported them every step of the way.”
Additional information regarding graduation ceremonies, including ticketing, parking, weather contingency plans, and senior activities, will be shared by each high school later in the school year.
![BOE & BOC Sign Civic Center Agreement Photo of Boards]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783627799/oconeeschoolsorg/bhqsad6yfhcjb2ju4tod/2026BOEBOc.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1783627799/oconeeschoolsorg/bhqsad6yfhcjb2ju4tod/2026BOEBOc.png","width":390}])
Steven Colquitt
The Oconee County Board of Education and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners have finalized an agreement that expands educational opportunities for students and preserves a valuable community resource, while meeting the long-term needs of Oconee County.
The intergovernmental agreement was signed Tuesday, July 6, by Board of Education Chairman Michael Ransom and Board of Commissioners Chairman John Daniell during a joint meeting.
Under the agreement, the Board of Education will assume ownership and management of the Oconee County Civic Center, while the Board of Commissioners will assume ownership of approximately 42.7 acres of Board of Education property located along U.S. 441 near Bishop.
The Civic Center theater will become a daily instructional space for Oconee County High School students while significantly expanding fine arts opportunities for elementary and middle school students throughout the Oconee County High School cluster. The facility will provide additional space for instruction, rehearsals, theatrical productions, concerts, and other school-related activities, creating greater access to high-quality fine arts experiences for students across the district.
The Civic Center will continue to serve as an important community resource. Public access will remain available for voting operations, rentals, and other community events, ensuring the facility continues to serve residents while also supporting expanded educational programming.
Under the previous arrangement, Oconee County Schools was responsible for 50 percent of the Civic Center's maintenance and capital improvement costs. With the Board of Education assuming ownership, eligible maintenance and capital improvements can be funded through Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) proceeds, reducing reliance on local property tax revenues for those expenses.
The Board of Commissioners currently has no immediate plans for the property. County leaders said the site could support future community needs, including a park or an emergency medical services station serving that area of the county.
"This agreement reflects a shared commitment to serving the people of Oconee County," Board of Education Chairman Michael Ransom said. "The Civic Center will provide expanded opportunities for our students while continuing to serve the broader community, and we believe this partnership will benefit our students and Oconee County residents for years to come.”
“The preservation of 42 acres of land and the expansion of fine arts opportunities for Oconee County students are positive outcomes that allow us to make the best use of existing resources for our residents,” said Chairman John Daniell. “We look forward to a continued productive partnership with Oconee County Schools.”
The Board of Education will assume ownership and operational responsibility for the Civic Center on Sept. 1, 2026.
![meet the teacher graphic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1782146602/oconeeschoolsorg/nqpk2hrotnnwbozfhmoi/2026mtt.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1782146602/oconeeschoolsorg/nqpk2hrotnnwbozfhmoi/2026mtt.png","width":390}])
Steven Colquitt
June 22, 2026
WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — Oconee County Schools will welcome students and families back to campuses on Thursday, July 30, for Meet the Teacher, providing an opportunity to say hello to teachers, visit classrooms, and prepare for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
To help accommodate families and reduce traffic, the district's elementary, middle, and high schools will host students in this manner:
Elementary Schools
A-H: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
I-Q: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
R-Z: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Middle Schools
A-H: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
I-Q: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
R-Z: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
High Schools
Grades 9-12: 1-3 p.m.
The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 3. Oconee County Schools looks forward to welcoming students and families back for another successful school year.
![Board Of Education Report: June 15, 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781567500/oconeeschoolsorg/bo7ywhgkjxvkguvgxyao/2026BoardBriefs7_3.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781567500/oconeeschoolsorg/bo7ywhgkjxvkguvgxyao/2026BoardBriefs7_3.png","width":390}])
Steven Colquitt
June 15, 2026
WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — The Oconee County Board of Education adopted a Fiscal Year 2027 general fund budget of $122,512,746 during its regular session on Monday at the Instructional Support Center.
Chief Financial Officer Peter Adams said the state and local funding numbers for FY27 came in better than expected, generating $2,952,304 in additional revenue above original projections and improving the district's budget position by approximately $1.2 million. The increase reduces the originally projected $1.8 million revenue deficit and strengthens the district's financial position heading into the new fiscal year. Mr. Adams additionally noted that the rollback rate certified by the Tax Commissioner was 13.836 mills, while the budget had been developed using a projected rollback rate of 13.813 mills. Ninety percent of the budget will be used for salaries and benefits, and 10 percent will go toward operations.
During her Superintendent's Report, Dr. Melissa Butler encouraged community members to attend the July 6 joint public meeting regarding the proposed Civic Center and property transfer and emphasized the importance of public feedback as both boards continue to evaluate the proposal.
The Board approved a bid from Howard Industries, Inc. for the purchase and installation of 32 Newline Interactive Panels at a cost of $80,105. The project for third-grade classrooms will be funded through ESPLOST and general fund dollars. The Board also approved the technology surplus list and its 2026-27 meeting calendar. JCDA-E(1): Student Code of Conduct and JCDAG: Bullying were placed on the table for public review and comment until the July meeting.
The Board received presentations and reports from Teaching and Learning, Student Services, Technology, Business Services, Operations, Operations-Facilities, and Communications. Operations presented an action item for July that would authorize the use of the Georgia Educational Cooperative as a purchasing source for products used by the School Nutrition Program during the 2026-27 school year. In addition, the Board approved out-of-state travel requests for Oconee County High volleyball, FCCLA, and performing arts; Oconee County Middle band; and North Oconee High football and girls golf.
The Board recognized from Oconee County High the Class AAA boys track and field state championship team, individual state champions and top-3 finishers from the track and field program, and the girls soccer and tennis state runner-up teams.
Oconee County Primary Principal Shelby Hilley and Assistant Principal Jennifer Dalton highlighted accomplishments and initiatives taking place at the school during the Points of Pride presentation. The monthly artwork was provided by Oconee County Primary students under the direction of teacher Katie Brimanson.
The Board approved personnel recommendations following executive session.
One Oconee County citizen signed up to address the Board during public communication.
The Board of Education will hold its joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners on July 6 at 4 p.m., followed by its regular session at 6 p.m. Both meetings will take place at the Instructional Support Center.