Oglethorpe County Schools

The Oglethorpe County BOE chairwoman Susan Robinson meets on Feb 11, 2025 in the board room to discuss HB 581 and other school projects. (Lucy Grey Shields/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County BOE chairwoman Susan Robinson meets on Feb 11, 2025 in the board room to discuss HB 581 and other school projects. (Lucy Grey Shields/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE opts out of HB 581

Lucy Grey Shields
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously voted to opt out of House Bill 581 during its meeting on Tuesday.
Officers Kevin Wright, left, and Robert Kline, right, are the new Oglethorpe County Schools resource officers. Wright, the officer for Oglethorpe County High School, said his role is to make sure students get “to go home every day.” He previously worked the night shift at the Sheriff’s Office. Kline is the officer for both Oglethorpe County Elementary and Middle schools. He also worked at the Sheriff’s Office, as part of the jail staff, before his new role. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

Officers Kevin Wright, left, and Robert Kline, right, are the new Oglethorpe County Schools resource officers. Wright, the officer for Oglethorpe County High School, said his role is to make sure students get “to go home every day.” He previously worked the night shift at the Sheriff’s Office. Kline is the officer for both Oglethorpe County Elementary and Middle schools. He also worked at the Sheriff’s Office, as part of the jail staff, before his new role. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

SROs make their presence known

Lucy Grey Shields
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robert Kline said some students at Oglethorpe Elementary School call him Mr. Clean because of his "bald head," but Kline isn’t there to tidy the school.  “Our job is basically to make sure the kids are safe and secure,” Kline said. “That’s what our primary job is.
School buses sit outside the Oglethorpe County transportation office on Oct. 22, 2022. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

School buses sit outside the Oglethorpe County transportation office on Oct. 22, 2022. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

School closings are group decisions

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
When Oglethorpe County experienced recent freezing temperatures, students across the county held their breath each morning hoping for school closures or delays.
Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary School principal Katie Baldwin hugs special education parapro Toni Evans after presenting her with the OCES Classified Employee of the Year award at the board of education meeting in Lexington, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Three of the county's four Classified Employees of the Year were honored at the November Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary School principal Katie Baldwin hugs special education parapro Toni Evans after presenting her with the OCES Classified Employee of the Year award at the board of education meeting in Lexington, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Three of the county's four Classified Employees of the Year were honored at the November Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

BOE approves purchase of three school buses

Caleb Baldwin and Cassidy Hettesheimer
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved buying three new buses and discussed other structural improvements at its Tuesday meeting.
Rileigh (left) and Raina Giles pose together for twin day. The two seventh graders are actual twin sisters. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Rileigh (left) and Raina Giles pose together for twin day. The two seventh graders are actual twin sisters. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

PHOTOS: RED RIBBON WEEK

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, November 2, 2023
We always love to see our students excited about spirit week and having those crucial conversations about healthy lifestyles,” said OCMS Assistant Principal Alecia Casper. Oglethorpe County Schools celebrated Red Ribbon Week, bringing awareness to the dangers of drug-abuse.
The 2023-2024 teachers of the year (from left): Shonda Cronic, OCPS kindergarten; Lindsay Gregory, OCES gifted third-fifth grade teacher; Janet High, OCMS English teacher; Lee Jones, OCHS band director.

The 2023-2024 teachers of the year (from left): Shonda Cronic, OCPS kindergarten; Lindsay Gregory, OCES gifted third-fifth grade teacher; Janet High, OCMS English teacher; Lee Jones, OCHS band director.

Teachers of the year inspired by students, community

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 12, 2023
The Oglethorpe County School System teachers of the year were honored by the Board of Education at its meeting last week. The teachers shared their motivation and inspiration with The Oglethorpe Echo. Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
ohn Lutz’s art room was turned into a crime scene for Rock Your School day. The class used their art skills to color suspects and use confidential files to identify the criminal. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

ohn Lutz’s art room was turned into a crime scene for Rock Your School day. The class used their art skills to color suspects and use confidential files to identify the criminal. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Rock Your School Day

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary Schools hosted an event called Rock Your School Day last Friday. The purpose was to creatively make school unique for the day with themes and experiences, while still educating the children.
Oglethorpe Board of Education members (from left) Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Beverley Levine and Becky Soto discuss the approval of the new rate. The board voted 5-0 to approve the rate, while Susan Robinson had a planned absence. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Oglethorpe Board of Education members (from left) Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Beverley Levine and Becky Soto discuss the approval of the new rate. The board voted 5-0 to approve the rate, while Susan Robinson had a planned absence. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

After hearings, BOE goes with lower rate

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, September 21, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved a lower millage rate of 15.824 for the 2024 fiscal year.    This is a 0.826-mill decrease from 16.650 in 2023. Though this is a decrease, residents will see a 9.
OC new teachers

OC new teachers

New teachers look forward to opportunity

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Oglethorpe County schools introduced 26 new teachers and staff members this year. Four of them discussed their strategies and personal goals for this year with The Oglethorpe Echo.   These answers have been edited for content and clarity.
Sara Hughes, who taught agriculture for 15 years, moves into a new position as the federal programs coordinator and grant writer with the Oglethorpe County School System (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Sara Hughes, who taught agriculture for 15 years, moves into a new position as the federal programs coordinator and grant writer with the Oglethorpe County School System (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Hughes moves into new role

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Sara Hughes has been awarded over $14,800 on 14 grants the past seven years, ranging from $200 to $2,500 each. She put those to use to help students in her agriculture classes.