Phillip Powell poses for a photo at the Oglethorpe County School System on Monday, April 13, 2026. Powell was named the new superintendent following Beverley Levine's retirement. (Jasmine Milbourne/The Oglethorpe Echo)
New Oglethorpe County Superintendent Phillip Powell will earn an annual salary of $170,000 under the terms of his contract, which was official on July 1.
Board Chair Becky Soto said the salary was established after examining superintendent compensation in comparable school districts in the area and Powell’s level of experience and education.
“We wanted him to come in, and we wanted him to learn our schools, learn our community, meet our people, and he’s really done a great job,” Soto said. “He has hit the ground running.”
The salary represents an increase from former Superintendent Beverley Levine’s final salary of $80,019. Levine transitioned to a 49% position in January 2024 before retiring in June. Her salary during her final full year was $151,862.79.
One of the biggest differences between Levine’s contract and the one Powell signed on April 28, is the stipulation that he is required to live in Oglethorpe County during his tenure. The county will pay up to $4,000 for moving expenses, according to the contract.
“It was a very easily negotiated conversation because Dr. Powell had decided that he wanted to come to Oglethorpe County and the board had decided that we wanted Dr. Powell to come to Oglethorpe County,” Soto said. “It was a very easy process. There was very little negotiation. He may have asked for this, so we gave a little on that, but he gave a little here. It went very well. It was an easy process because I think Dr. Powell has truly bought into Oglethorpe County and what we have here and what we want to be here.”
Powell said he and his family are in the process of relocating to Oglethorpe County and that he is committed to remaining in the district long term.
“I have eight years left (before retirement),” Powell said. “I’ve told Oglethorpe that I’m dedicated to being here the whole time.”
Powell also receives $800 a month for a car allowance, $100 a month for a cell phone and “all out-of-pocket expenses” for travel outside the county that exceeds 75 miles one way. That includes lodging and meals “while traveling in connection with his duties as superintendent.”
The BOE will evaluate Powell at least once a year and he receives 10 paid days of annual leave a year, according to the contract.
One reason Powell accepted the position was the opportunity to build on the existing strengths over the long term rather than viewing the role as a short stop in his career.
“He has proven to where he has taken school systems similar to Oglethorpe County that have good foundations, that have good people, that have great students, great staff, and how he has taken the strong foundation of tradition and excellence and really taken it to the next level,” Soto said. “His track record of being able to do that, and his vision setting and his goals and what he shared with us throughout the interview process really made him stand out from the other candidates.”
Powell said the district is well-positioned for continued success.
“What I kind of call it is moving from good to gold,” Powell said. “We’re going to take the great foundation we have, but we’re going to become one of the top school districts in the state of Georgia.”