Superintendent Phillip Powell leaned into his priorities of improving attendance and increased community involvement for Oglethorpe County Schools at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night.
Attendance is up at all schools, Powell said.
The percentage of students with three or more absences has decreased at the elementary, middle and high schools from 2025-26 to this year, with no students in that category this year at OCMS, and a decrease of 81 students with three or more absences at OCHS.
“We’ve cut it by four-fifths in one year with just focusing on it,” Powell said. “Our principals, APs, district staff are doing a great job.”
Powell also discussed upcoming events, including an Oglethorpe County Branding Guide Night, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at OCHS, where the colors of the school system will be finalized.
“We have this scarlet red (shirt), but then those (shirts) back there are crimson,” Powell said. “And so you’re like, can we just pick a red, so I can put it on things?”
Powell also spoke about changing the venue of OCHS graduation from Patriot Field to The Classic Center in Athens. He said the move costs $6,000, but the indoor facility would prevent last-minute changes, like the move in May due to a storm in the forecast.
The BOE decided to open up the decision to seniors and parents through a survey, allowing them to choose which venue they prefer.
“I personally think it should go to the seniors and their parents, and let them decide what they would like to do,” board chair Becky Soto said. “But in order to do that, they need all the information.”
The board also discussed paying for maintenance on the HVAC system at OCHS after it was struck by lightning earlier in the school year. A quote from ABM Industries Inc. was $15,289.50, and the board said it intends on filing an insurance claim for the damage.
“Whether or not, we pay for it up front and get reimbursed, or whether or not, we pay for it,” Soto said. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of maintenance.”
In other business, the BOE:
- Unanimously approved the $6,850 purchase of CommonLit assessments in language arts for students in grades 6-12.
- Approved the annual agreement with the Northeast Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency (NEGA RESA) for $400,594.10. According to the services contract with Oglethorpe County, RESA provides support and instruction in visual and physical impairments.
- Approved the continuation of the ASPIRE program, which provides after-school programming and enrichment for students. The grant, which totals $338,040, is in its third year.
Walker Durham. The Oglethorpe Echo.