The Oglethorpe County Board of Education used its December meeting to look at early results from the Patriot Health Hub, which has seen steady growth since opening in late September.
Staff reported that the clinic saw five patients in September, 144 in October and 233 in November, for a total of 382 people. Family medicine made up most appointments, but behavioral health sessions doubled from October to November.
The clinic’s fill rate also increased from 15% in September to 47% in November.
“MedLink said that we were the best in the state in terms of opening weeks, opening months, in terms of volume and just how it’s gone,” district nurse Kristina Turner said.
The clinic added an extra office assistant to keep up with the number of patients.
New Health Hub hours, pending MedLink approval, will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with a 6:30 p.m. closing on Wednesdays and a 3 p.m. closing on Fridays.
The district is looking at transportation options for students who can’t drive to the Hub.
The board also approved a resolution confirming the completion of the Oglethorpe County Elementary School construction project.
The project’s contract totaled about $41.5 million and finished roughly $653,000 under budget. The district will now request its final 10% reimbursement from the Georgia Department of Education.
Superintendent Beverley Levine said interest earned on the construction bonds leaves a little more than $4 million available for future facility needs.
Board member Jake Willcox was not present for the vote, as he was representing the board at a Peach Education Tax Credit event.
In other news, the board:
- Recognized seventh-grader Wayne Campbell for earning a perfect score on last year’s sixth-grade Math Milestones.
- Recognized fifth-grader Fiorella Milagro Barrientos Flores for receiving an English Learner Writing Award.
- Received a teaching and learning update from Assistant Superintendent Kayna Cornish.
- Confirmed the ESPLOST election results.
- Released the 2026 schedule for Board of Education meetings and work sessions.
- Heard an update on a proposed partnership with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation that would fund a full-time transition support position for special education.