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Monday, Sept. 16, 2024

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — The Oconee County Board of Education on Monday authorized Superintendent Jason Branch to work with Sheriff James Hale to develop a memorandum of agreement that will provide a comprehensive law enforcement presence at all 12 schools.

The action item, which was presented by Director of Student Services Kevin Yancey on Sept. 9, passed unanimously during Monday’s regular session at the Instructional Support Center. 

The process to develop a memorandum of agreement will begin immediately. 

“The Board is pleased to take this significant step that will impact each of our schools,” Board Chair Kim Argo said. “We are confident that Dr. Branch and Sheriff Hale will coordinate an approach that will support our 12 schools.”

“The collaboration between OCS and the Sheriff’s Office has always been strong, and this memorandum will further our efforts to maintain and expand safety measures in the schools,” Dr. Branch said. “We continue to be committed to a safe learning atmosphere where staff and students can focus on academic success.”

“The outcome of today's meeting further emphasizes the wonderful relationship with our school system and strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff in our schools,” Sheriff Hale said. “Schools should be safe spaces for learning and growth, and concerns about safety have no place in Oconee County.”

During the Sept. 9 work session, Yancey announced that School Resource Officers have been assigned to North Oconee and Oconee County high schools for the remainder of the school year.

Also on Monday:

• The Oconee County High Schools Alumni Association awarded $1,000 grants to the agriculture departments at North Oconee and Oconee County high schools. The grants will be used for a submitted list of items, equipment, and/or supplies needed by that classroom. The grants were presented by the OCHSAA Board of Directors.

• Principal Katherine Brown, Assistant Principal Mike Stanton, and teacher Colby Moremen presented Colham Ferry Elementary’s points of pride on agriculture explorations. Students of Colham Ferry Elementary also provided the September art display. Their instructor is Allyson Winter.

• The Board approved field trips for FFA groups from North Oconee High, Oconee County High, Dove Creek Middle, Malcom Bridge Middle, and Oconee County Middle to Indianapolis, Ind.; the North Oconee High FBLA to Columbus, Ohio; the North Oconee High cross country team to Huntsville, Ala.; the North Oconee High wrestling squad to Mill Spring, N.C.; the Oconee County Middle band to Charlotte, N.C.; the Oconee County High band to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; the Oconee County Middle chorus to Orlando, Fla.; and the North Oconee High FBLA to Anaheim, Calif.

• The Board approved the Northeast Georgia RESA Shared Services Contract, which has a Fiscal Year 2025 fixed price of $429,045.72.

• The Board approved the Certificate of the Board on Phase II Modifications to Oconee County Primary, Oconee County Elementary, and Oconee County High.

• The Board approved 13 buses as surplus.

• The Board heard the Business Services presentation.

• The Board approved the personnel recommendations as presented.

• Twenty Oconee County citizens addressed the Board during the Public Communication portion of the meeting.

The Oconee County Board of Education will hold a work session on Oct. 7.
 

Oconee County Schools on Friday announced its 2024-25 Teachers of the Year, representing each of the 12 schools in the district.

The Teachers of the Year were recognized on their respective campuses on Friday. The OCS Teacher of the Year Banquet, presented by the Oconee County High Schools Alumni Association, will take place on Sept. 26 at the Civic Center.

“I am proud of these 12 extraordinary educators who have been chosen by their peers as the OCS Teachers of the Year,” Superintendent Jason Branch said. “Their passion for teaching, innovation in the classroom, and dedication to our students’ success have made a tremendous impact on their schools and our community.”

Colham Ferry Elementary
Lyndsay Goeckeritz, Fourth Grade

Dove Creek Elementary
Heather Bui, Kindergarten

Dove Creek Middle
Shannon Dupree, Special Education

High Shoals Elementary
Erin McElroy, Media Specialist

Malcom Bridge Elementary
Stacy Peters, Fourth Grade

Malcom Bridge Middle
Jessica Johnston, Art

North Oconee High
Ashley Douglas, Math

Oconee County Elementary School
Kristen Anderson, Third Grade

Oconee County High School
Melanie Carpentier, English

Oconee County Middle
Amy Carter, Science

Oconee County Primary
Emily Dail, Second Grade

Rocky Branch Elementary
Keri Ericson, Special Education
 

From the Oconee County Board of Education:

 

The Oconee County Board of Education has been working with the Local Legislative Delegation to make two proposed changes to the statutory operations of the Board.

 

First is a change to the way unexpected Board vacancies are filled. Since 1964, the Board has been required to fill vacancies through appointment by a majority vote of the Board members. The proposed amendment would still require the Board to fill a temporary vacancy by appointment and majority vote but would also introduce a more democratic process by requiring the appointed member to stand for election at the next general election. This change aims to enhance transparency and accountability by allowing voters to have a more direct say in who represents them on the Board. It ensures that the individual appointed to fill the vacancy is subject to the scrutiny and approval of the electorate, rather than solely relying on the decision of the existing Board members. Furthermore, the provision for a temporary appointment followed by an election at the next general election ensures that there is not a prolonged period of vacancy on the Board, thereby maintaining continuity in governance and decision-making processes. This is the process currently established in state law that is followed by all Georgia boards of education that do not have a separate process approved by local voters.

 

The second proposed change is to allow the Board of Education to appoint a Chair from among its elected members. The Chair has no special authority or power other than to preside over the formal meetings and to work closely with the Superintendent to establish meeting agendas. Under the proposed change, the Board would have the flexibility to appoint a Chair based on their knowledge, experience, and skills to effectively serve the Oconee County School System. Currently, 82 percent of boards of education in Georgia appoint their Chair. This proposed change reflects a commitment to adopting common business practices that align with many educational institutions and organizations, including the University System of Georgia.

 

These proposed changes will be included on the General Election ballot on Nov. 5, 2024, for Oconee County voters to consider. If approved, they would be effective Jan. 1, 2025.

 

Kim Argo, Board Chair

Amy Parrish, Board Vice Chair

Tim Burgess

Ryan Hammock

Michael Ransom

 

House Bill 1496 (As Passed House and Senate)

Proposed Local Legislation